Simply put, a visa is an official travel document. The visa which is usually stamped or glued on to the passport of the bearer allows him to legally enter a foreign country. A visa can be of multiple types. To start with, there is a Tourist Visa for people looking to visit a country for tourism; there is a Student Visa for students looking to travel to a foreign country to pursue education and so on.

Studying overseas requires meticulous planning to say the least. Students are constantly recommended to plan their admission/ process keeping in Mind College closing dates and working backward. Students are required to show up for English eligibility checks as per the college coverage and additionally have required documents in places for the smooth processing of their application. Hence, Candidates are constantly suggested to apply 3-4 months in advance to keep away from any last-minute rush. Candidates looking for financial aid, scholarships, and schooling loans need to add some other couple of greater months to the method as these purposes take extra time.

Different countries have different requirements. Here are some quick links to Student Visa Guides for the Top Study Abroad Destinations, Interview Guide for F1 Visa and SPP and non-SPP requirements.

Student Visa for USA	Student Visa for Singapore
Student Visa for Canada	Student Visa for France
Student Visa for UK	Student Visa for New Zealand
Student Visa for Australia	Interview Guide for F1 Student Visa
Student Visa for Germany	SPP and Non-SPP Visa Requirements

Documents required for your study permit

• Every country, depending on their 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.
• An acceptance letter from your education institution, and
• A valid passport or travel document

Prove that you have enough money to pay for you’re:

• Tuition fees
• Living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada, and
• Return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• Be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada (you may have to provide a police certificate)
• Be in good health (you may need to complete a medical exam)
• You will also be required to appear for a personal interview at the Canadian embassy or consulate.

To prove you can financially support yourself and any accompanying family members, you may be asked to provide:

• Documentation of a Canadian bank account in your name, if money has been transferred to Canada
• Documentation of a student/education loan from a financial institution
• Bank statements
• A bank draft in convertible currency
• Proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees
• A letter for the person or institution providing your funding
• Proof of funding paid from within Canada if you have a scholarship or are enrolled in a Canadian-funded educational program

Student Direct Stream

As an Indian student, you can get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). If you choose to apply through SDS, you may need certain additional documents in this case.

Applying for your visa online

You’ll have to apply for your student visa application online using the CIC official website. You can apply up to three months before your intended date of travel to Canada. Remember, your application date is the date when your application fee is paid.

Study permit fee

As an applicant from outside Canada, you will have to pay CAD150 as your visa fee.

English Language Requirements

To gain your Canadian visa, you’ll have to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work, and migration, with more than three million tests taken in the past year. The IELTS results are recognized by more than 10,000 organizations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations, and governments, in 140 countries around the world.

You can always come to us for a free counseling session where we can guide you on how to go about the entire visa application process.

Student Visa Questions

1. Where do I start?

You can’t apply for a student visa until you’re accepted on to a course in that country. So, if you haven’t already done so you need to submit an application for the course you wish to study. Not only that, but you must ensure the course meets the country’s visa requirements. Your student visa acceptance will be determined by a number of factors:

• Your country of citizenship
• Your chosen destination country
• The course you wish to study
• The institution you wish to study at
• How you plan to fund your study

Different countries have differing visa systems and acceptance procedures. However, they are usually very similar:

• To study in the UK you need to have received an offer for a place on a course. You need to prove that you can understand English, including reading, writing, and speaking.
• To study in the US you need to prove that you have a permanent residence in your country of citizenship. You need to have the funds to support your study and intend to return home once your study is complete.
• To study in Australia you also need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support your course fees and living costs. You will also be assessed based on the subject you have chosen and your country of citizenship.
• To study in Europe you do not require a visa if your country of citizenship is an EU member. If you are outside of the EU you should check your chosen destination’s visa requirements for more specific details.

2. Where do I apply for my student visa?

Usually you will apply for your student visa in your own country. This will require you to visit an application Centre. Here you will submit your application paper work and provide any biometric information required.

Below is a list of Visa application canter’s for the following countries:

• Visa application centers
• Australian visa applications can be submitted online. Biometric information can be submitted at one of the Australian visa application centers.
• For a US Student Visa, you are required to attend an interview at the embassy or consulate.

3. What type of student visa do I need?

If you are studying abroad for your post-16 education you will require a general student visa.

• In the UK this is called a Tier 4 (General Student) visa.
• In the US this is called an F-1 visa.
• In Australia your visa type will depend on your country of citizenship and your chosen subject.

4. How good must my English be?

The course you have applied for may require you to have completed an English language certificate. In addition to that tighter immigration rules mean you must prove you have a good understanding of English at the border crossing.

New changes to the UK student visa mean that if you are unable to communicate without a translator you will be denied entry.

5. Can my family travel with me?

Your family can travel with you if you meet each countries visa requirements. For the UK you must be on a postgraduate course at a university with at least 12 month duration. Or a Government sponsored student.

For the US you will have to prove your relationship to your dependent. They will also have to apply for their own visas.

For the Australian student visa you will have to prove that you have a sufficient level of funds available to support each dependent.

We advise that you check the specific requirements for your chosen destination.

6. Can I work on my Visa?

Generally, on a student visa, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week. You can only start working once your course has started.

The same rules usually apply for any dependents you may have.

7. How long can I stay?

On a student visa you are allowed to stay for the duration of your course, as specified in your initial visa application.

You will also be allowed to stay for a short time following the completion of your studies however this can be anything from 60 days to 4 months depending on your chosen destination.