What is Gap Certificate for Studying Abroad?

Ever faced refusal for your study abroad application or let alone your visa due to gaps in your career journey? Well, you’re not alone in this and worry not as you can use a Gap Certificate to the rescue. This article is about Gap Certificate for studying abroad.

It's common among students to take a gap from their formal education due to their personal reasons like - poor well-being, getting work experience or starting their own business, taking a national entrance test or determining what is it they want to do for the rest of their lives - rather than accepting whatever comes their way. A gap year usually doesn't become a problem unless the students decide to take their higher education abroad. In order to get admitted to a university abroad, one must justify the time they took away from their studies. To prove this, a gap certificate for studying abroad is required. 

Universities abroad receive millions of applications from students of exceptional educational backgrounds each year. So a gap in your overall educational or professional journey without a clear explanation may leave a bad impression and even get your application for studying abroad rejected at the screening round. By submitting a Gap Certificate, you reclaim your chances of getting your application shortlisted for admissions and migration purposes, which may be seemingly impossible otherwise. The documents required to justify a gap year for studying abroad include your last academic mark sheets, a notarised Gap Affidavit on stamp paper, and supporting evidence for your activities/work done during the gap year. 

What are Gap Years?

The gap year is a semester or year-long break from one's formal education or professional work journey. Sometimes, due to a gap in qualifications, students and professionals are considered to have lost track of their last gathered skills and knowledge, which ultimately becomes the reason that many companies and universities reject their proposal to apply for a job or higher education, respectively.  

As a general trend, students take a gap year(s) after completing their school education and before starting college or university education, to prepare for a better rank in the competitive exams to get a good reputed college. One may use a gap year to travel, cure one's illness, take care of family, volunteer, work, gain futuristic skills and personal growth & maturity. Gap years may thus tend to reduce burnout and promote motivation for future studies and work.

Thus, to prove to the employers, visa authorities (if travelling abroad for work or higher studies) and universities that your gap year was productively used, applicants must submit a Gap Certificate. If studying abroad is on your bucket list, then you can check the allowed gap years for studying abroad.

What is Gap Certificate?

A Gap Certificate (or gap affidavit) is a legal, notarised document on non-judicial stamp paper that officially explains a break in a student’s academic or professional career. The gap certificate also proves that the gap period was not spent in irrelevant activities or vaguely, without utilising it for something constructive towards your overall career building, and provides a valid, transparent reason for the break. It is used by university's admission committee, future employers and visa authorities to judge whether you're worthy of college's seat, the job or for visa to get education on a higher level in that country. Universities also expect gap certificates from you to know how you used gap period to align it with your career aspirations. 

Also Read: Bonafide Certificate

What are the uses of a Gap Certificate?

Gap Certificate is used to explain breaks in your education or profession. It is helpful for:

1. Justifying a gap when applying to colleges or universities, whether in India or abroad.
2. Job applications by clarifying periods of unemployment or career breaks.
3. Demonstrating that how you used this period for self recovery, upskilling or personal commitments.

If these reasons resonate with the university or employer of your choice, they can give you an opportunity upon validating the reasons of your gaps. 

Why do You need a Gap Certificate to Study Abroad?

A gap certificate is typically needed when you have held some years of gap in the middle of your educational journey. This can be in a number of cases, such as when you take a break before starting your graduation after 12th or before taking up postgraduation after completing your bachelor's. There can be many reasons for taking these gaps but for Indian students, the most common reasons are either preparing for a national government exam, gaining some work experience before studies, etc. 

Students aiming to study abroad may need a Gap Year Certificate to

• give comprehensive explanation of their academic history. 
  
• justify periods of unemployment or breaks in education.
  
• highlight how they have spent gap year whether through volunteering, internships, or travel.
  
• show to universities they have used this time productively and have matured during the gap.

How to Make Gap Certificate for Higher Education?

Most colleges accept a gap certificate on a notarised affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper of INR 10, 20 or 100. The value can vary based on the state regulations. It must be signed by a notary public to be legally valid for university admissions and visa applications. However some universities abroad might require a gap certificate in their own format or if your document is made in a regional language of India, then, you must get it officially translated into English.

Here are the steps to make a gap certificate-

• Buy non-judicial stamp paper of either ₹10, ₹20 or ₹100 - depending on your state
• Write your full name and address. Write the start and end dates of your gap year as well. 
• Mention the reason of taking the gap. This can be either travelling, volunteer work, internships, personal reasons or illness. Just be honest.
• Mention the name of last institution you attended and the degree you obtained. 
• Sign the bottom of your letter.
• Get it signed by a notary public

What is the format of a Gap Certificate for Studying Abroad?

A Gap Year Certificate or Gap Affidavit can have different writing styles or patterns. But it should serve its primary purpose, i.e. explain to the university abroad that your year gap was not wasted and you utilised it productively. Even if you used the entire year on planning what to do next, alongside spending some quality time at your home, with your parents, - you can mention that too. You just need the right set of words to make your reason sound legitimate. However, there are a few common components that all Gap Year Certificates must have and these are - 

1. First, your self-declaration must be printed on non-judicial stamp paper.  
2. It must have details of your last attained official education
3. It must clearly mention the start and end dates of your gap period, followed by the reasons for taking the gap. You can mention the exams you took, any coaching you took, health issues, self-business, etc.
4. You must mention that all this time was spent in anything productive and that you were not, in any point of time during this period, involved in any unlawful activities. 
5. You must end it with a verification like - "I do hereby state that the contents of paragraphs 1 to 5 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and nothing has been concealed therein."
6. Finish with your name and signatures, followed by the signature and stamp from the Notary Public.

Reasons for Explaining Gaps in Studies

Most common reasons used for explaining gaps in your studies by the means of gap certificate for college application are given below.

1. Preparation for competitive exams

2. Personal health issues

3. For gaining practical work experience in [mention field]

4. Exploration of personal interests and development of new skills

5. Family circumstances

6. Volunteering for (organisation/cause)

Which Documents Do You Need to Apply for the Gap Certificate?

Your university or employer may ask for supporting documents to verify the reasons you have mentioned in your gap certificate. You may need to submit one or more of the following-

• Volunteer work certificate
• Personal ID 
• Internship certificate
• Travel itineraries 
• Doctor's prescription or hospitalisation bills in case you went through a medical treatment

This was all about the Gap Certificate. Remember, while a Gap Certificate is helpful, it may not be mandatory.