India visa application keeps getting rejected online — should I apply at the embassy instead?

After three online rejections, a visa was successfully obtained by visiting the embassy in person — the process took about a week. Be prepared to submit more documents than required online, including bank statements and other supporting paperwork.

A student visa for India can drag on for months: applicants may be asked to refill the form multiple times (resetting the clock each time), submit various documents, and attend an interview — after which the passport may be held with no updates.