Student Visa Guide for Studying Abroad

Your Complete Guide to Student Visa

Know all about student visa types, cost, requirements, application process

Anam Shams is a seasoned professional in the study abroad field with deep knowledge of admissions and loans. With a passion for helping aspiring students fulfill their academic dreams, Anam...

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Aman Jain graduated from IIT Kanpur, and currently functions as the CMO at GyanDhan. He is deeply passionate about creating equality in higher education and has directly interacted with 2 Lakh...

Overview

The number of Indian students seeking higher education overseas has increased significantly in recent years; with 13.35 lakh Indian students pursuing higher education abroad in 2024. But along with this increase come greater difficulties, such as obtaining a student visa and meeting the subsequent prerequisites. As your formal authorization to study abroad, a student visa is necessary to obtain an education in a foreign nation. Starting early and making sure you have important documents like a current passport, evidence of admission, and financial stability are essential for navigating the visa procedure. This tutorial will lead you through the various kinds of student visas, the procedures involved in applying, and the necessary paperwork for a smooth application process.

What is a Student Visa?

A student visa is a legal document, known as an endorsement on a passport, known as student visa grants entry and residency privileges to international students who want to study at recognized universities abroad. For a predetermined amount of time, usually the length of the academic program, it gives the holder the legal right to study in the host nation. A student's visa may have requirements, like having to be enrolled full-time, having work restrictions, and having to leave the country when their studies are up unless they have another visa that allows them to stay.

When to get a Student Visa to Study Abroad?

The ideal time to apply for a student visa from India depends on when you receive your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the university. The LOA validity lasts for 6-8 months and you have to apply for the visa in that period. Therefore, it’s good to apply within 3-6 months before your course begins, as it provides a buffer in case of any issues during the document verification. Delays in the visa application can lead to missed admissions, so, it’s best to apply as soon as you receive a letter of acceptance. You can apply for the student visa online from the website.

How to Apply for a Student Visa?

Visit the online portal of the respective country by creating a visa account.
Upload the requested documents.
Pay the application through a Credit/Debit Card.
After submission of the application within a few weeks, you’ll receive an email for the interview.

Types of Student Visa for Studying Abroad

Different countries have different types of visas however, these are common types that students can apply for:

Type Of Visa	Description
Short-term Visa	Preferred for courses with a duration of less than 11 months. Can explore the country and culture before a long-term commitment. Best for advanced courses offered by top-tier colleges. Have less competition and require the least paperwork.
Long-Term Visa	Best for graduate and post-graduate degrees. Usually, valid for 3-5 years. Allows easy transitions from study to work visa
Child-Student Visa	For students under 18 years of age. Requires a guardian either in the host country or accompanying the student. Need extra financial funds to sponsor the guardian visa. Good for pre-settlement before enrolling in higher education.

Requirements for Student Visa

When applying for a student visa some requirements need to be fulfilled. Here’s a breakdown of the essential documents and their requirements:

A Valid Passport

Passport is a priority for the student visa process and should be no older than 5-10 years. The validity of the passport should exceed the duration of the visa. Ensure that all your documents and passport information match, as discrepancies can cause issues during the verification process.

Letter of Acceptance

You need an electronic document proving that you have successfully enrolled in a course at a university overseas. According to the student visa rules and regulations, you can’t use this document twice for a visa application. Therefore, obtain enrollment confirmation from the university before applying for the visa. You may have to pay a one-year tuition fee or secure your spot at the university.

Proof of Funds

The financial documents are the most important documents required for student visa, particularly during the interview. Funds are the primary concern of the immigration officer, as one can’t expect a student to earn and cover their living expenses from the first day. Thus, the immigration officer verifies your family’s income to ensure it can support your comfortable stay.

Country	Proof of Funds Requirement (2024)	Required Document
United States	Varies; typically over $70,000 (₹5,874,470) for the first year at top universities (e.g., UC Santa Barbara)	Bank Statement, Affidavit of Support, or Loan Letter
United Kingdom	£1,100+ per month (approx. ₹139,309); $14,940 for a 9-month course	Bank Statement or Financial Sponsorship Letter
Canada	CAD$20,635 (₹1,252,941) per year	Bank Statement or GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)
Germany	€11,904 (₹1,080,483) per year	Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) Statement
Ireland	€10,000 (₹896,276) is immediately available, plus the same amount for each subsequent year	Bank Statement or Scholarship Letter
France	€615 (₹54,968) per month; approx. $7,860 for one year	Bank Statement, Proof of Scholarship, or Financial Guarantee
Australia	AUD$29,710 (₹1,639,565) per year	Bank Statement, Proof of Income, or Loan Letter
New Zealand	NZD$20,000 (₹993,625) per year	Bank Statement or Financial Sponsorship Letter

Note that these amounts do not include any possible costs for additional family members, travel, health insurance, tuition, or other fees. These are the monies that the governments anticipate each student to have at their disposal for the duration of their studies. Note that these figures are subject to annual fluctuations and that the student's nation and field of study may have an impact on the proof of funds. Government officials and certain institutions are the best sources of up-to-date information for agents and students. The following numbers are up to date as of July 2024.

Visa Application Form

Completed visa application form applicable to the nation in which you intend to pursue your studies.

Payment of Visa Fee

The application fee for a visa must be paid.

Photos

Passport-sized photos that adhere to the application's particular specifications for a visa.

Health Insurance

If required by the host country, evidence of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.

Country	Health Insurance Requirement for Student Visa (2024)	Approximate Cost (2024)
United States	Mandatory. Students must enroll in a university-provided plan or show proof of equivalent coverage.	Varies by the university; typically $1,500 - $2,500 per year (approximately ₹167842)
United Kingdom	Mandatory. Students must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the visa application.	£470 per year for students (approximately ₹49,513)
Canada	Mandatory. Provincial plans may be available, but private insurance is required for those not covered.	CAD $600 - $900 per year (approximately ₹36,925- ₹55,388)
Germany	Mandatory. Non-EU students must purchase German public or private health insurance.	€1,200 - €1,500 per year (approximately ₹109,097- ₹136,372)
Ireland	Mandatory. Students must have private health insurance.	€500 - €1,000 per year (approximately ₹44,898 - ₹89,795)
France	Mandatory. Students must enroll in the French social security system (Sécurité Sociale) or have private insurance.	€215 per year for Sécurité Sociale (approximately ₹19,302); private insurance varies
Australia	Mandatory. Students must obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).	AUD $500 - $700 per year (approximately ₹27,694- ₹38,604)
New Zealand	Mandatory. Students must have approved health insurance for the duration of their visa.	NZD $500 - $700 per year (approximately ₹26,015- ₹36,086)

English Proficiency Test Score

Foreign countries where English is the first language, require students to take a proficiency test to prove their communication skills. However, many universities don't have mandatory requirements for students from English-medium schools, they can apply without an English Test Score. To know the minimum required score, refer to the university's website.

Country	English Language Requirement for Visa Acceptance	Accepted Tests
United States	Minimum TOEFL score of 80-100 or IELTS score of 6.5-7.0, depending on institution	TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo English Test
United Kingdom	Generally, a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 for a Tier 4 Student Visa; higher for university admission	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic
Canada	Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate, 6.5 for postgraduate programs	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL
Germany	Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 80 (institution-specific requirements)	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE
Ireland	Minimum IELTS score of 5.0-6.5 depending on the program and institution	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic
France	Generally, a minimum IELTS score of 5.5-6.0 or TOEFL score of 70-80	IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced)
Australia	Minimum IELTS score of 5.5-6.0 for a student visa, depending on course level	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English
New Zealand	Minimum IELTS score of 5.5 for undergraduate, 6.0-6.5 for postgraduate courses	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic

Tips to Avoid Student Visa Rejection

Applying with lots of aspiration and enthusiasm, only to have your visa rejected, can feel like your entire dream is falling apart. To minimize this risk, consider the following precautionary measures:

Ensure that all your documents are valid.
Have a clear understanding of your financial situation.
Score higher on your English Proficiency Test.
Build a strong understanding of the course scope and the university to show your commitment.
Follow student visa rules and regulations through the visa approval process.
Participate in a mock interview to refine your understanding of your study plans and future goals.

Study Abroad Journey

Confused about how abroad education journey looks like?

Here’s the complete beginners’ guide…

Step 1:

Exploration

Things to know before getting started: courses, colleges, funding and more

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Step 2:

Application

Things to know for applying to study abroad: cost of study, exams, SOP and more

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Step 3:

Admission

Things to know while finalising univeristy, networking and scholarships

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Step 4:

Finance

Things to know about financing your education: loan eligibility, approval and more

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Step 5:

Visa

Things to know about pre-visa requirements, visa interview and more

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Step 6:

Prepare To Fly!

Things to know about accommodation, Forex, SIM cards, networking and more

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A quick Glimpse of your journey

Step 1:

Exploration

Things to know before getting started: courses, colleges, funding and more

Explore Now

Step 2:

Application

Things to know for applying to study abroad: cost of study, exams, SOP and more

Explore Now

Step 3:

Admission

Things to know while finalising univeristy, networking and scholarships

Explore Now

Step 4:

Finance

Things to know about financing your education: loan eligibility, approval and more

Explore Now

Step 5:

Visa

Things to know about pre-visa requirements, visa interview and more

Explore Now

Step 6:

Prepare To Fly!

Things to know about accommodation, Forex, SIM cards, networking and more

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can we explore colleges and admissions on a Tourist Visa and get a Student Visa while we’re overseas?

No, you need to apply for a student visa. However, you can consider a short-term study visa if you wish to explore colleges.

How to apply for a student visa?

You can apply offline or online through the official website of the respective country.

Is there any restriction on the number of courses that a student can pursue?

No, you can pursue multiple courses during your visa period. However, be aware that integrated courses may have specific visa terms and conditions depending on the country.

Can a foreign student change the course or institute or both?

Yes, you can change your course or institute, or both. Just ensure you have all the necessary documents required for the transfer.

Is a sanction letter enough for a visa interview?

No, although a sanction letter is important for the visa application, not enough for the visa interview. Carry all other original documents as well with you.

Can we extend our student visa?

Yes, you can extend your student visa if you are pursuing higher studies. However, you cannot take up a full-time job on a student visa once it has expired. For that, you will need to switch to a post-study work visa.

How long does it take to get a student visa?

Obtaining a student visa takes around 1-2 months, but the preparations should begin at least a year before you apply.

Who is eligible for a student visa?

Students above 18 years of age who wish to pursue higher studies are eligible for a student visa.

Is a student visa easy to get?

Yes, for Indian students getting a student visa is easy and simple. You’ll just need to follow all student visa rules and regulations.