Student Visas for Study Abroad: Requirement, Fees and Application Process

What is a Student Visa?

Simply put, a student visa is an official travel document which is usually stamped or glued onto the passport of the bearer and allows the student to legally enter a foreign country. A student visa can be of multiple types. But the main reason is for those looking to travel to a foreign country to pursue higher education. The student visa types vary with each country and each visa may either vary per course level or based on the study period of the applicant.

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When should I apply for a Student Visa?

Studying abroad requires meticulous planning to say the least. Students are always advised to plan their admission/ application process keeping in mind university deadlines and working backwards. Students are required to appear for English eligibility tests as per the university policy and also have the required documents in place for the smooth processing of their application. Hence, students are always advised to apply 1-3 months in advance to avoid any last-minute rush. Candidates seeking financial aid, scholarships and education loans should add another couple of extra months to the process as these applications take more time. 

What type of visa do I need?

Student Visas are often classified based on two broad distinction points

Student Visa Classification Based on Program Duration

Depending on the length of tenure of the programme the applicant is planning to undertake, the countries often divide the student visa into Short-Term Student Visas or Long-term Student Visas. Often, short-term visas are given to students who plan to take a short course of a language or a diploma certificate course and the entire duration is often limited to 90 days (3 months). Long-term visas, on the other hand, are given to students who are planning to take up degree courses extending beyond the 3 months. These could include internships and small certificate programmes of 6 months and so on. European Union Countries often have this broad classification. Read: J Form: Study Abroad with Indian Agricultural Income

Student Visa Classification Based on Type of Programme/ Student

Irrespective of the duration of the course, some countries classify student visas basis the type of student. This could be the level of degree applied for (undergraduate, graduate or doctoral), exchange student or student applying for a vocational/ diploma course. Broadly speaking, as these visas also depend on the type, of course, the student is applying for, these are somewhat linked to tenure. However, in these categories, the first point of distinction is not how long the programme would be for. If you are, say, for instance, an exchange student, you could be going for 3 months or 3 years, the category would still be based on the type of student and not the tenure.

For example,

• In USA there are three types of visas - F1 visa (full-time, long-term study), J1 visa (exchange programs) and M visa (vocational courses).
• In Australia, there are two types of visas - Subclass 500 which is for UG and Subclass 485 which is for PG.
• While European countries have visas based on the duration of study and are divided accordingly.

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Documents Required for Student Visa Application

Every country, depending on its immigration laws has a specific list of documents. However, while the exact requirements are different in terms of actual terms, the list is generic. However, there are two documents which you would require certainly.

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Valid Passport

This is the primary requisite. While you would need a valid passport, what you need to know is that for different countries, the requirement of the validity of your passport might vary. Some countries would want you to have the validity until the end of the course even at the time of applying for the student visa. Some, on the other hand, might let you apply but request you to have a validity that extends beyond the intended stay in the country. You also need to ensure that you have at least two blank pages in your passport for stamping a visa. What is important to note is that in case you have any expired passports, you would still have to submit a copy of all such passports.

Proof of a Bonafide Student

No matter which country you are applying to, if you are applying for any category of Student Visa, you must be able to prove that you are a bona fide student. This is often done by producing confirmation of admission with an educational institute in that country.

Financial Lucidity

Most countries would require you to prove that you are capable of not only taking care of the tuition and college expenses but also having the requisite funds to afford your stay in that country for the intended study period. While many countries have a stipulated amount of funds required, some have broader more extensive guidelines. For instance, many countries in Europe (like Germany, Netherlands, etc.) have a minimum living cost computed as per government standards. Students applying for student visas in these countries, accordingly, must provide proof that the said amount is available with them in ready cash. Read more about the Financial Documents Required for Study Abroad Applications. You might also want to learn about the Requirements for getting a Student Visa and Express Entry to Canada.

Language Proficiency

Another thing which is required perhaps across various countries is proof that you can communicate in the language which would be your medium of instruction. Since most of the students plan to study in English-speaking countries, most of them would require you to provide proof that you can communicate in English - both written and verbal. This is usually done by a minimum score requirement for various English Language Tests like TOEFL, IELTS and/or PTE. Accordingly, if you plan to take up a course in any other language (say German for instance), you would be required to provide certification for that language per the CEFR Certified Levels.

It is important to note here that while universities might accept any or either of the above-mentioned tests, for Visas, at times, the requirements are set. Hence, it is important that before a student writes an English Language Test, he/she checks whether or not the country's immigration department recognizes that test. Also, Visa Guidelines for different countries usually mandate a minimum score. While Universities might offer admission at a lower score, Visas would be rejected until the minimum standard is met.

The complete list would depend on the country you are applying to. While some countries would require medical proof, some might require a blocked account. Many countries also require an SOP. Provided below is the link for the individual country visa requirements and the process, visa fees and documents required.

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What is the process for applying for a student visa?

The process for applying for a student visa begins with your university offering you a letter of acceptance. Students who have received their letter of acceptance are required to go ahead and begin their Visa Application Process. Candidates can apply for their visa via two methods:

• Online Visa Application Process: the more convenient of the two, candidates can apply for their student visa through the online method by simply creating a student profile. The forms are all online and would have to be correctly filled by the student.
• Offline Visa Application Process: the offline visa process would require candidates to download the application form, fill in the details and submit it to the required authorities.

The next step includes paying a Visa Application Fee. Every candidate would be required to pay a student visa fee for his application process. The final process would include the student submitting his application process along with their supporting documents.

Requirements for Visa Extension

A visa is issued for a specific time. If in case, your study permit expires before the completion of your studies (program) then you need to apply for renewal of your study permit. Ideally, you should apply at least 30 days before your current permit expires. Candidates can submit their applications through mail or online.

Student Visa Fees in Countries Abroad

The student visa fee varies with each country, the applicant is applying to. Once the applicants receive their Letter of Enrollment, they can proceed with their student visa formalities. Check out the student visa fees across countries in the table below:

NOTE: Different countries have different requirements, while some may have a fixed student visa fee, the others may vary based on the number of days of stay. Applicants must check the fee before applying and keep the amount handy while making payments. 

Pointers to Avoid Student Visa Rejection

In order to obtain a student visa to study abroad, international applicants should avoid so that their student visa applications are not rejected. Check out the most common mistakes that must be avoided by international students so that they do not face student visa rejections:

1. Apply for student visa applications within a certain timeframe so that the applications are assessed within time and applicants do not delay attending their classes at the university.
2. Appear for the interview with confidence and dress up appropriately if required to attend any. 
3. Avoid giving dubious answers in the visa interview and stick to answering questions to the point.
4. Ensure that you do not express interest in staying back in the country for a long period after completing your education.
5. Also, make sure that you can prove ties to your homeland and not falter there.
6. Students must provide all accurate information and not give out any information that does not match with the admission or student visa application.
7. Finances must also be proved if asked properly, this is a major reason for student visa rejections abroad. 

Overall, applicants must prepare themselves and be able to prove that they are absolutely capable and are deserving students who can do justice to the education that they will get abroad and be responsible international students as well.

Popular Scholarships for studying abroad

Gaining a quality education in top international universities is a dream for many aspirants, however, arranging funds can prove to be a major hurdle to realizing those dreams. To overcome this hindrance, many organizations, universities and governments give scholarships to talented students, so, they are not denied quality education. Below we have provided a list of top international scholarships which students can avail themselves to pursue higher education abroad.

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