Acquiring a visa is the most integral part of the study abroad process. As you know, leaving the country and pursuing your education in your dream destination is impossible without a student visa. But unfortunately, the process of obtaining a visa is pretty complex and stressful.
But don't worry; we've got you covered! This article contains all the details regarding visa application. So, stick to the end.
A visa is a document that denotes conditional authorization granted to a citizen, which allows him to enter, stay or leave a foreign country. It's a document bearing official permission which enables people to travel abroad, provided the purpose of the visit is valid.
The government can issue, withhold or cancel a visa as they see fit. So, to get a visa, one must abide by the imposed rules.
The processing period for Visa differs from country to country. Generally, students apply for a Visa after they've received the letter of acceptance from their desired institution.
So, students should immediately request for Visa after getting their acceptance. The Visa is asked for three to four months prior to the start of the academic term.
There are four types of visas, and each has a different requirement. These include-
Tourist visas are issued when travelling to a country to leave it after a certain period. The validity of travel visas can extend up to 10 years. But, each visit to a country must not exceed six months.
Immigration visas are granted to foreign nationals who intend to work and settle down permanently in that particular country. Such visas are acquired through sponsorships by relatives already residing in that country. Usually, immigration visas are valid for up to six months.
A work permit or work visa allows a foreign individual to work legally in a country. Work visas can last anywhere from six to ten years and must be renewed timely for the individual to continue work in the foreign land.
Student visas are provided to international students pursuing their education abroad. The tenure of a student visa varies depending on the location.
While most countries issue student visas with a validity of no more than a year, some countries provide it for the entirety of the duration of the study. Like work visas, the student visa must be renewed to secure accommodation and continue studies in the desired country.
The duration of visa processing depends on the country issuing it. Generally, a Bangladeshi Visa can be obtained in 10 days, whereas the ones for the USA and Canada may take three weeks or even months.
| Country | Visa Code | Estimated Time To Issue (in weeks) |
| USA | F-1 | 8-12 |
| UK | Tier 4 | 7-9 |
| Canada | S-1/SW-1 | 8-11 |
| Australia | 500 | 4-5 |
| Germany | D | 4-8 |
| France | D | 1-3 |
| Netherlands | MVV | 2-3 |
| China | X1 | 2-3 |
| Finland | D | 2-3 |
Again, the required documents vary significantly from country to country. But the general outline for students' Visas includes-
Even though applying for a student visa looks simple, it's pretty troublesome. To apply for a visa, follow these steps-
The first step of applying for a student visa is to obtain acceptance into an educational institution in the destination country. If you have applied for admission but didn't receive an acceptance letter, you can't request a Visa.
After getting acceptance, you must clear all the dues required from the institution. The cost includes admission, housing, insurance, and tuition for the first semester.
With all the dues cleared, you can apply for a student Visa. Collect the online application form. Fill it up and submit it with all the necessary documents.
Pay the required application fee. The cost depends on the stay duration and the requested Visa type.
Visa interviews are scheduled within three to four weeks of handing over the documents and are held at the country's embassies. This is the final hurdle of the process. Be well prepared, as it plays a significant role in deciding whether or not you'll get the Visa.
The cost of student visas depends on the country and the duration of stay. Student visas issued for the US cost 100-150$. Canada also charges around $150. Like the cost, the proof of funding also varies due to the location.
Here's a chart to help you with the Visa costs:
| Country | Visa Fees (For Single Entry) |
| USA | US $160 |
| UK | £78 |
| Canada | CA $75 |
| Germany | €60 |
| Finland | €63 |
| France | €60 |
| Australia | AUS $150 |
| New Zealand | AUS $150 |
| China | RMB 200 |
Scholarships from the accepted college/university or international organization may sometimes cover the Visa expenses. However, such funding is very rare and difficult to obtain.
Most student visas are valid for a year, so they must be renewed or extended to reside in that country and continue studying.
The requirements for Visa Extension include-
It's to be noted that without a clear purpose, a Visa extension is most likely to be denied.
Hopefully, this article has given you more insight into how to acquire a student visa. Even with all the guidance and precautions, a Visa application can turn out to be a nightmare, so get all the help you need.
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