Student Visa to Study Abroad: Types, Requirements and Process

1. Key Takeaways About Student Visa

1. A student visa is a legal document that allows students to study in another country.
2. Mostly it is used by students who want to pursue post-secondary or specialty studies abroad.
3. To get a student visa, students need to apply with an appropriate department in the selected country.
4. The candidates are required to be accepted, enrolled and financially stable in order to get their student visa.

1. Student Visa Classification Based on Program Duration

Most countries divide the student visa into Short-term Student Visa and Long-term Student Visa, which depends on the duration of the program the students want to undertake.

Short-term Student Visa is provided to students who want to study short language and diploma courses abroad that take the duration of 90 days (3 months).

A Long-term Student Visa is for students who want to pursue a degree course abroad that extends beyond 3 months. It can include an undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma program.

2. Student Visa Classification Based on Type of Student/Programme

Some countries provide student visas based on the type of program and the student. It can be the level of education programs such as bachelor's and master's or the type of student exchange and students who are applying for diploma /vocational courses. These visas broadly depend on the type of program and the student applying to study abroad.

1. A Valid Passport for Study Visa

A passport is a primary document when applying for a student visa. The validity of your passport varies from country to country. Some countries require validity until the end of the educational program. Others may require validity which covers the duration of the intended residence. Students need to have at least two blank pages in their passports for stamping.

2. Student Proof for Student Visa

The candidate must be able to prove that he is a bona fide student. This can be done by proving your eligibility for the student visa by furnishing the admission confirmation to the selected institute.

3. Proof of Funds for Student Visa

Most countries require students to prove that they are able to cover tuition fees and the cost of living for a certain period of time. Some countries have fixed amounts as proof of funds, such as minimum cost of living based on government regulations. Students need to furnish proof that this amount is available in their bank accounts.

4. Language Proficiency Proof for Study Visa

Many countries require proof of language proficiency tests from international students. It is proof of the student's proficiency in the instructional language of the country. Most of the students choose to study in English-language countries such as the United Kingdom, the United State etc. To pursue higher education in these countries, students need to submit proof of communication skills in the English language. Students are required to have standardised scores in exams such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.

Some countries may also require health test results along with SOPs and other information.

1. Online Visa Application Process

Students can apply for their student visa through online mode by creating their student profile. It is the most convenient way for overseas aspirants. Students need to fill in all the details correctly to get their study visas.

2. Offline Visa Application Process

The offline visa application process requires students to download the application form, fill in all the details and submit it to the visa authorities.

In the next step, students need to pay a Visa Application Fee and then submit the supporting documents to complete the application process.