A member asked for a general cost breakdown for a study visa application, including the medical exam.
What the thread shared as real cost data points:- GIC costs depend on the current required amount — one member's own GIC deposit came to about 6.2 lakh INR, though this figure fluctuates with the GIC requirement and currency exchange rates.
- Be prepared for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on any single transaction above 7 lakh INR — this is a real cost/compliance factor in India worth budgeting for when transferring large sums.
- Medical exam costs at a specific Chennai panel physician were reported as approximately 6,700 INR for applicants without a tattoo, and around 11,500 INR for those with a tattoo. The tattoo-related cost difference likely reflects additional screening the physician deemed necessary, though the specific reasoning wasn't detailed — treat this as one clinic's pricing, not a universal rule, and confirm current pricing directly with your chosen panel physician.
The practical takeaway: budget for your GIC (amount varies, roughly 6+ lakh INR reported by one member), factor in TDS on transactions above 7 lakh INR, and confirm your specific panel physician's medical exam pricing directly — costs (including any tattoo-related difference) can vary by clinic.