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After securing admission to a university, the next major step is applying for a visa. A student visa is an official permit document that allows you to stay and study in a foreign country. Student visas are issued for education purposes and are governed by a country’s laws of immigration.
While it can get overwhelming, obtaining a visa involves carefully following some basic steps and confidently clearing the interview. The visa application isn’t a universal process, as some countries have more lenient visa regulations or requirements (unlike the US or UK), but the overall procedure is similar.
Here’s all you need to know about types of visas, the eligibility criteria, the documents required, and the application process itself.
Student Visa Requirements
Before you can apply for a student visa, research the type of visa you need, the eligibility criteria, the required documentation, and the entire process of visa application. Follow the deadlines and guidelines for a successful application.
Types of visas: There are various types of student visas, specific to each country. Primarily, they are categorised into:
- Visas based on duration: These include:
- Long-term or full-time student visas
- Short-term student visas
- Visas based on the type of programme: These are:
- Exchange student visas
- Research student visas
Examples:
- F1 visa (long-term, full-time study, USA)
- J1 visa (exchange programmes, USA)
- Tier 4 (student visa, the UK)
- M visa (vocational or professional courses, USA)
Eligibility criteria: Generally, you must meet the following criteria when applying for a visa:
- Acceptance by a recognised university abroad
- Excellent academic record - certificates, transcripts, LoRs, etc
- Finances to manage your expenses abroad
- Health insurance
- Application fee payment receipt
- Language proficiency
Required documents: Next, understand the documents required for visa application. These depend on the country of your choice; however, you must furnish ID proof, proof of admission, finances, language scores, academic records, and more. Check the section below for a list of documents to be submitted during your visa application.
Application process, and timelines: Remember that the application process and the processing times can vary between countries, so follow the procedures accordingly.
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Here’s all you need to know about the student visa requirements at popular study destinations abroad: |
Documents required for a study visa application
The required documents for a visa application and processing may vary slightly from one country to another and may depend on the programme or the type of visa you need. However, in general, you will need to keep the following documents ready to submit:
- Valid and current passport: Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your study duration. However, the validity may depend on the country’s requirements. Ensure that you have some blank pages in your passport for visa stamping. Remember to submit all your passports (even old and expired ones) during the visa application.
- Filled-in visa application forms: You can fill out the application form either online or offline depending on the country you are applying to. Ensure you provide all the necessary details.
- Proof of admission at a university: You must prove that you are a genuine student by showing a letter of acceptance from the university, admission confirmation, tuition fee paid receipt, etc.
- Photographs as applicable: You must produce the latest passport photographs or provide biometric ones as applicable.
- ID Proof: Produce identity and age proof by submitting birth certificates and other government IDs like Aadhaar, Driving License, etc.
- Other certificates: You must submit a marriage certificate, and dependents’ (children) birth certificate, if applicable.
- Academic records: Ensure you have copies of your degree certificates, marks sheets, school leaving certificates, etc., and academic transcripts.
- A Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose or Personal Statement should be strong, clear, and have all the valid points.
- Health insurance: Many visa applications mandate health insurance for international students, without which the visa may be rejected. This is in students’ interest to help them cover the cost of any medical or health issues they may face when studying in a foreign land. So, depending on the country you are applying to, make sure to obtain your health insurance in time for visa applications.
- Proof of finances: In general, you must show that you have enough funds that cover at least 1 year of living and tuition expenses. Some countries require you to have a fixed amount, for example, for the UK, students must provide proof of having £1,483 per month to live in London, while those studying outside of London will need to demonstrate £1,136 per month. This is approximately INR 1.63 lakhs and 1.25 lakhs per month. Proof of finances can include:
- Bank statements
- Fixed deposits proofs
- Sponsorships
- Scholarships, etc
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Our website lists thousands of scholarships offered by universities abroad! Explore scholarships. |
- Language proficiency: When applying to an overseas programme in an English-speaking country, typically, you will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency by taking IELTS, TOEFL, or other equivalent tests. However, if you have applied to German universities, some may ask for German language scores as well. Check the acceptable scores for visa applications so that you can aim to obtain those.
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Refer to the IELTS band score chart to understand what your IELTS score means and what it says about your English skills. |
- Work experience, if applicable: Provide proof of employment and recommendations from peers if needed.
Here’s the visa document list for your convenience:
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Documents |
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Confirmation or acceptance letter from university |
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Selected course and duration details |
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Statement of Purpose/Motivation |
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Academic records - degree certificates, school leaving certificates, marks cards, academic transcripts, etc. |
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English language proficiency - IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc scores |
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GRE, GMAT, and SAT scores as applicable |
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Proof of funds - Bank statements, sponsorship if any, scholarships, etc. |
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Passport and ID proofs, Photographs |
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Health insurance documents |
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Police clearance and character certificates |
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Marriage and other dependents certificates as applicable |
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Employment letters, reference letters, work experience proof etc., as applicable |
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Extracurricular achievements, if any |
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Read our comprehensive article to know more about the documents required to study abroad. |
How to Apply for a Visa
Apply well before the deadline to avoid delays, ideally, you must submit your visa application at least 4-5 months before the start of your course. That is, once you get an acceptance letter or admission confirmation from your university, it’s time to set the ball rolling with your visa processing.
Applying for a student visa includes these easy steps:
Review the requirements: Each country has specific visa requirements, review them carefully and ensure you have all the documents ready to be submitted. Aim to provide all the documents upfront. The documents could range from bank statements to university clearances.
Fill out the application form: You can apply for your visa either online or on paper. Always provide accurate information, be truthful, and attach all the relevant documents.
- Online visa application: Simply create an account on the consulate’s website and fill in the details of your application.
- Offline visa application: Download the application form from the embassy’s website, fill it out correctly, and mail it to the embassy or the consulate.
Keep in mind:
- If you are travelling on a scholarship program, specify all the details. The validity of your scholarship and the amount of aid you are receiving must be indicated clearly.
- Mention the tentative date of your travel in your application.
- Mention your period of stay and financial strength with supporting documents. Remember, you are trying to convince the visa office that you can manage all your expenses abroad, on your own.
Pay the visa fees: Fee structures vary by country, so be sure to verify the specific fees for the country you're applying to. For example, the visa fee for the UK is about 490 GBP and $185 for the US. Some countries may have a fixed visa fee, whereas others may compute the fees based on course duration.
Visa fees are of two types - the application fee and the issuance fee. You pay the application fee when you apply and the issuance fee is paid when the visa is issued.
Schedule your interview: Once you pay the visa fees, you can go ahead and schedule an interview with the visa office based on the requirements and the availability of dates in the calendar.
Prepare for the interview: While you wait for your interview date, prepare for common interview questions. Practice your responses.
Some typically asked questions are:
- “Why are you travelling to the country?”
- “How long will you be staying in the country?”
- “Where will you live?”
- “How will you pay for your trip?”
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Here are some F1 visa interview questions and tips for answering them. |
Dress appropriately for your interview and arrive on time. Demonstrate that you are a bona fide student with your honest responses.
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You must wear formals to your visa interview. Read more about the guidelines for men and women on the dress code for a visa interview, & some dos and don'ts. |
Submit the application: You can submit the application online, in person, or by mailing the application to the visa office. Make sure to adhere to the timelines and procedures.
Track status: You can track the status of your application either by calling the visa office or checking it online from the visa application centre. Remember processing times for visas vary by country, so check the details on the consulate website. It can take several weeks to months for visa processing. Some consulates may have faster processing times. How fast your visa gets processed depends on how accurate your application is and the number of visa applicants for the country.
Collect your visa: Once your application is processed and your visa is approved, you will receive your passport and visa. Review them for accuracy.
Understanding the Validity/Conditions of Visa
Typically, the student visa is valid for the duration of your course. So, if you are opting for undergraduate studies, the visa is valid for 3-4 years depending on the programme duration. For master's degrees, the visa is given for 1-2 years, based on the course duration. So, the duration ranges from 1-4 years on average.
You can request for extension in some cases if you haven’t completed your education within that time by providing the necessary documents.
Some student visas allow part-time work up to 20 hours, so review these thoroughly before taking up employment during your studies.
How we can help
Sometimes, the visa application process can seem tedious, but with the right support and guidance, you can easily crack it. Our dedicated IDP counsellors also double as visa advisors and can help you with your queries and visa application. You can be assured of a smooth process from start to end!
Contact our education experts now to set the ball rolling!
Editor's note: This article was originally published in August 2015 by our content writer, Ashwin Sriram. We have since revised it to include up-to-date information and ensure its comprehensiveness.
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