International students who wish to study in India should obtain a Student Visa before travelling to India.
Once the student has been issued a confirmed admission letter to study at the Business School, he/she should immediately apply for Student Visa.
International students taking admission at Universal Business School should make sure that the Student Visa is endorsed to Universal Business School by the visa issuing authority.
A request for change of university or institution subsequently made cannot be considered. In this case you would be required to go back to your home country and apply for a new visa.
Also, if you have entered India on basis of documents provided by UBS then it is your responsibility to ensure that you directly join and report to Universal Business School. The Visa endorsed on the name of UBS or obtained on the basis of UBS documents cannot be used for any other purpose like employment, admission to any other university / college / institute / academy etc. or for non-regular (distance/online) mode of education.
After reaching UBS students have to get the visa verified by UBS and have to deposit a copy of the valid visa
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that throughout his/her study period student is on valid visa
In case the initial visa is not endorsed for the complete duration of the programme or student has to extend the stay because he/she is not able to complete the programme in the stipulated time then the student should apply for the extension of the visa before visa expires.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that visa should be applied well in advance and time. It generally takes 3-8 weeks to get the Indian Visa thus it is advisable to apply for the visa accordingly and consult the Indian High Commission/Embassy if required.
Students joining UBS after the prescribed time period may be denied admission.
The following questions will be helpful for getting exact answers for the pre-determined queries in your mind related to Indian Student Visa.
What is a Student Visa?
Student Visa is a visa specifically for the students wanting to come to India for education purpose. Generally Student Visas are issued for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years whichever is less, on the basis of letters of admission from Universities/recognized colleges or educational institutions in India. However it is the discretion of the Indian High Commission to decide the duration of the Student Visa. The children of NRIs and PIOs cardholders need not procure a Student Visa. Other international students need Student Visa or Research Visa for Doctoral level courses.
What are the pre-requisites for procuring a Student Visa?
To apply/ be eligible for a Student Visa, you need to conform to the following conditions:-
If you are on Government of India scholarships, the respective Indian Missions would be advised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to issue a regular Student Visa after your admission in an Indian university/Institute is confirmed.
If you are coming as a self-financing student, you need to produce confirmed letters of admission from universities or recognized colleges and institutions in India for obtaining the regular Student Visa.
If you are coming as a research student, synopsis of the research project countersigned by the sponsoring institution in India along with letter of approval and No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned Ministries in India should be submitted for necessary visa.
Can I get the visa even if I don’t have a confirmed admission letter?
If you are not having confirmation letters of admission from UBS, you can get Provisional Student Visa by the Indian Missions abroad, on the basis of provisional letters of admissions. However Provisional Student Visa is valid for 3 months. Within these 3 months, your admission needs to be confirmed otherwise you will have to leave India. No extension of Provisional Student Visa is permitted
Can I change my College after coming to India?
You need to mention the name of the Institute while applying for the visa, which is then mentioned on the visa. A request for change of university or college subsequently made cannot be considered. In this case you would be required to go back to your home country and apply for a new visa.
Can I get my Tourist Visa converted to a Student Visa?
If you come to India on Tourist or any other type of Visa, you cannot get that Visa changed to Student Visa. According to the government regulations, if an international student coming to India on a Tourist or any other type of Visa (except a Student Visa), obtains admission into a university or any institution in India, the student will be required to return to his/her home country and obtain a new visa (i.e. the Student Visa) from the Indian mission there.
Are there any rules and regulations that I need to conform to while applying for Student Visa?
Yes, while applying for the visa you need to keep in mind the following regulations:
Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of intended departure from India should accompany the visa application.
Students holding other nationalities (other than the country where applying for visa), should submit proof of long-term (at least three years)/ permanent residence in the country (where applying).
For citizen of other countries, a reference has to be made to their country of residence for which an additional fee is applicable and will involve extra processing time. Please refrain from making inquiries about the status of application during this time.
Can I get a Student Visa directly from Indian Missions abroad?
Yes, you can get a Student Visa from Indian Missions abroad, provided you have confirmed admission to a course in a reputed/recognized institute in India
What should I do for extension of my Student Visa?
In case you want to get your Student Visa extended you should approach the local Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) / District Superintendents of Police (FROs) with authentic certificate, proof of adequate financial standing etc. The Visa can be extended for a period of one year at a time up to the duration of the course or 5 years whichever is less for students pursuing full time and regular course in a reputed and recognized university or institution, subject to due sponsorship by the Institution and nothing adverse against the foreigner.
The following documents are required to be submitted at the time of Visa Extension:
Visa Extension form
1 Recent passport size photographs
Bonafide certificate from College/University/Institute (In original)
Copy of passport/VISA/Registration Book
Proof of residence
Passport and Registration Book in original
Can a registered student, who has completed his graduation, get visa extension for Post Graduate courses by FRRO/FRO?
Yes, a registered student, who has completed graduation, can apply for visa extension to pursue a post graduate course from concerned FRRO/FRO cum Superintendent of Police provided he produces an authentic certificate from his/her institution. The International office of UBS helps the students in the registration process
Will visa fee be charged from foreign students every year?
Visa fee is charged once at the time of issuance of Student Visa for completion of the course or for 5 years whichever is less.
In case of ‘Provisional Student Visa’ when a student seeks regular admission in any college/university then onetime fee is charged which is valid for the duration of the course or for 5 years whichever is less.
If the visa is issued for a period less than the duration of the course, then the visa would be extended by the concerned authorities without charging any additional fees.
Can foreign students with Indian Student Visa visit the restricted/prohibited areas in India?
Yes, foreign students can visit the restricted and prohibited areas in India after getting a valid Resident Permit as visa alone is not sufficient to visit such places.
Disclaimer: Information provided here is based on data/information available on various public domains. It is the student’s responsibility to comply with all Visa or all other formalities as defined by government from time to time. Thus it is advised to visit Ministry of External Affairs website for the most updated information and towards any complications and hassles.
General Information Related to Foreigner Regional Registration
It is part of the normal mandatory process that within the stipulated timeframe of arrival in India, the student has to register his/ her name with the police in the designated Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) i.e. at Alibaug for the students residing in the campus
The time frame or rules for the FRRO may vary from 24 hours to 14 days of arrival depending on the country of origin, thus seek the most updated information from the Ministry of External Affair website.
A student with a PIO card also must register at the FRRO. Only OCI card holders need not register.
UBS would only provide necessary assistance in this regard and it is the responsibility of the students to get the registration done and provide the copy of the FRRO certificate to UBS within the stipulated time as prescribed by UBS from time to time. Failure to do so may lead to cancellation of the admission.
The applicable processing fees for the FRRO/Visa extension/immigration processing fees and other related expenses have to be additionally borne by the student.
It is also the responsibility of the student to inform designated FRRO in case they are leaving the country (both in case of temporary movement like going for holidays and also in case students want to permanently leave the county because the programme is over or students wants to discontinue the programme or student has been expelled or have been denied admission.)
Students are not required to register himself/herself on each visit as long as he/she is visiting on the same visa on which he/she is registered earlier. However, the registered foreigner needs to report to FRRO, if; re-enters India on a fresh visa.
Further, if the registered foreigner obtains a new passport during the validity of his registration and visa, then the foreigner is required to get the visa transferred on to his new passport from FRRO.
Also, in case there are any changes in the foreign registration rule then UBS may seek more information as required from the student and/or can direct to follow the most recent guidelines as applicable and define by the government from time to time.
UBS may debar the student to continue attending classes or staying in the UBS hostel if student does not maintain a valid visa/ FRRO or does not follow any guidelines issued by the Govt. of India/ Govt. of Maharashtra/Universal Business School/ any other authority from time to time.
For loss of attendance/ academics or any expenditure so occurred because of such action by UBS, the student himself will be responsible and no relaxation or benefit may be provided in such cases and all expenditure has to be borne by the student.
In case the initial FRO certificate is not endorsed for the complete duration of the programme or student has to extend the stay because he/she is not able to complete the programme in the stipulated time then the student should apply for the extension of the FRO before it expires.
Note: It is the student’s responsibility to comply with all the visa/foreigner registration or other formalities as defined by the Govt. of India/ Govt. of Maharashtra/Universal Business School/ any other authority from time to time thus it is advised to visit Ministry of External Affairs website regularly to avoid any legal complication and hassles.
How to Adjust to the New Environment?
When you leave your home country and come to a new place it is always a learning experience for you. You will come across different environment like different cultures, customs, food, climate, etc. You will get a lot to learn and experience but sometimes it may be that you find it difficult to adjust to the changes you come across. Following are a few points that may help your transition and adjustment in a new culture as smooth as possible
Student Buddy: UBS has facilitated a Student Buddy system, which will give you an Indian student who will show you the way and support you in acclimatizing to the new environment. HE will introduce you the various groups and staff.
On Campus Mentor: UBS has assigned you a Faculty member who will act as your mentor and support you in academic and non-academic pursuits and help you develop your personality and interests whilst you are on the Campus.
Open Mindedness: Keep your opinions flexible and receptive to the changes around is very important for intercultural adjustment.
Sense of Humor: Develop a good sense of humor as in a new culture there are many things that may make you to weep, get angry, be annoyed, embarrassed or discouraged, the ability to laugh off things will help to guard you against despair.
Communicativeness: Develop an ability and willingness to communicate your feelings and thoughts to others, verbally or non-verbally. You may contact the on campus psychological counselors who provide confidential and free professional counselling and support.
Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to respond to or tolerate the ambiguity of new situations is very important for intercultural success. You should keep options open and develop a judgmental behavior as this will help you to adjust well to a new environment.
Curiosity: You should develop curiosity to know about other people, places, ideas, etc. which will help you to learn many things and adapt easily to the new environment.
Positive and Realistic Expectations: You should develop positive and realistic expectations for an intercultural experience and successful adjustment overseas. You should make sure that you set small goals that you can achieve every day.
Tolerance for Differences and Ambiguities: You should develop a sympathetic understanding for beliefs or practices differing from yours.
Positive Regard for Others: The ability to express warmth, empathy, respect and positive regard for other persons will help you adjust easily with the new people and environment.
A Strong Sense of Self: A clear, secure feeling about oneself helps you to be neither weak nor overbearing your relations with others. Persons with a strong sense of themselves stand up for what they believe but do not cling to those beliefs regardless of new information, perspectives or understandings which they may encounter.
Keep in Touch: Keep in regular touch with your family and friends by writing email, letters or talking on the phone. Also keep in contact with the people you meet during orientation for International Students.
Take Care of your Health: You must take plenty of exercise and eat healthy and nutritious diet.
Participate: Get involved in an activity that will help you meet people and to make new friends. You can join various student clubs and participate in their activities.
Make friends: Make friends with international students, whether from your own culture or from others, as they will understand your feelings. Also try to make friends with the local students so you can learn more about each other’s culture. Be prepared to take the first step and find activities which will give you a common interest with Indian students.
Correlate: Look for similarities between your culture and the new culture. You may keep familiar things around you that have personal meaning, such as photographs or ornaments.
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