By Traveli 360 
The Government of India announced two new student visas for international students and their dependents. Both of these two new visas are online visas and they simplify the process significantly for international students during entry and stay in India.
Two New Categories of India Student Visa
The first new category is the E-Student Visa. This visa will be granted to those foreign students who want to come to India for studies in Indian higher education institutions.
India E-Student Visa will be granted according to the time of the educational program’s duration. It can be valid for up to 5 years with multiple entries. Along with that, it can be extended for additional years if the educational situation requires it.
The second category of the visa is the E-Student X Visa. This visa is especially designed for the dependents of foreign students living in India. They can apply online for this visa and can enter India.
Great Ease for African Students
A large number of African students study in India. It is frequently highlighted that students from African countries, Afghanistan, and some other countries face difficulties in securing an India student visa from embassies.
With these new categories, the visa system will be much simpler and students will no longer have to deal with the embassy. Instead, they will be able to apply online from the comfort of their home with peace of mind.
The visa is not only granting easy entry into India. In fact, this visa also provides them with a longer stay in India, so they will find it easier to manage both their entry and stay.
Afghan Students’ Visa Issues
After 2021, when the Republic of Afghanistan collapsed, thousands of Afghan students weren’t able to get back to India for their study programs because the Embassy of India had closed its operations in Afghanistan.
With this new visa, there will be a great solution for those students in countries where there is no Indian embassy. They will be able to simply apply online.
International Students in India
India has experienced a significant increase in international student enrollment, with 72,218 students from 200 countries enrolling in various programs.
Read more: Brazil Introduces New Humanitarian Visa for Afghans
This marks a substantial recovery from the decline observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating India’s growing appeal as a global education hub.
The 2021-22 All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report provides insight into the leading countries of origin for foreign students in India. According to the AISHE report, the top five countries sending students to India were:
1. Nepal: 13,126 students
2. Afghanistan: 3,151 students
3. United States: 2,893 students
4. Bangladesh: 2,606 students
5. United Arab Emirates: 2,287 students
Although these figures pertain to the 2021-22 academic year, they offer a general perspective on the nationalities that have historically contributed to India’s international student population.