Student Visa Abroad: Requirements, Fees, Types and Application Process

The student visa abroad is a legal document that allows international students to study in the country of their choice. Study visa abroad is provided by the government officials of the chosen country. Student visa abroad is issued only for a limited time, i.e., the time you require to complete your course. What are the usual requirements to get a student visa? As every country may have different requirements for issuing a student visa, however, there are certain common requirements for applying for a student visa like proof of appropriate funds, visa fee, proof of enrollment, and biometrics.

This Story also Contains

1. What is a Student Visa?
2. Why do you need a Student Visa?
3. Types of Student Visa for Top Countries
4. How to apply for an Overseas Student Visa?
5. Student Visa Fees
6. Student Visa Interview Process
7. Student Visa Abroad Success Rate
8. Points to Remember to Avoid Student Visa Rejection

To get a student visa abroad, students are required to fill out the application form, submit the required documents, pay the application fee, and appear for the visa interview. Visa application fees vary by country. Applicants are required to show proof of their offer letter from the selected country as a part of the visa application.

In the visa interview, candidates are asked about their motivation behind pursuing the course in that particular country, and other plans to stay back in the country. The student visa success rate varies by country, for instance, the USA has a success rate of 65%, and the UK has a visa acceptance rate of 98%. In 2021, the approval rate for a US student visa was 80% which drops to 65% in 2022, so, it has become harder to secure a US study visa. Whereas, getting a UK study visa is relatively easier as it has a rejection rate of 3% to 5%.

Students are generally provided with a part-time work permit on their visas. To avoid rejection of student visa abroad, candidates must apply for visas within the time by filling out the correct information and attaching relevant documentation. Those who reach the interview round must dress up neatly and answer the questions clearly and with confidence.

Read on to learn about Study visa abroad, the requirements of student visa, how to apply, the visa interview process, and more.

What is a Student Visa?

All international students who wish to study in a foreign country are required to have a study permit known as a student visa. It is an official document released by the government that allows overseas students to reside and study in the country for a particular period. Students are required to have an acceptance letter from the selected university, and enough financial funds to cover their living expenses as proof of obtaining the student visa. The duration of the visa is generally that of the programme duration and can allow students to work part-time to support their studies.

Why do you need a Student Visa?

A student visa is a legal document that allows students to travel and stay in a particular country during the course of their studies. In general, students must be accepted into a program at a recognised school and prove their ability to support themselves financially while studying. The student visa is equally important as a passport since without it, you will be unable to study abroad if required by the country in which you are staying. The procedure, requirements, and expenses for obtaining a visa vary depending on the country you are applying to.

Types of Student Visa for Top Countries

How to apply for an Overseas Student Visa?

To apply for a student visa, candidates must follow the below-mentioned steps.

Step 1: Gather the required documents: Students are required to submit necessary documents at the time of visa application, however, it might vary as each country has its list of required documents. However, some common requirements include a passport, academic transcripts, proof of financial support, proof of health insurance, and more.

Step 2: Fill out the application form: For visa applications, candidates can consult the embassy or consular office and fill out the form accordingly, either online or offline.

Step 3: Pay the application fee: After filling out the form, candidates must pay the application fee to submit it. Visa application fees vary by country and hence, students must verify it before submitting.

Step 4: Attend an interview: The Visa application is further processed based on the interview, where they are questioned about their study plans and motivation for studying in that country. The interview is one of the important steps, thus students should prepare thoroughly before going.

Step 5: Wait for a decision: After submitting the application and attending the interview, students now have to wait for a decision, which is generally released within a month.

Documents Required for Abroad Student Visa

Here is a list of documents required by applicants to apply for a abroad study visa:

• Passport

• Academic transcripts

• Proof of financial support

• Proof of health insurance

• Proof of language proficiency

• Application fee

• Additional documents

Student Visa Fees

Usually, there are two types of fees that students are required to pay to obtain a student visa, these include the application fee and the issuance fee. The application fee payment has to be made after submitting the application form, whereas the issuance fee payment is made once the application is approved, and it covers the cost of issuing the student visa.

Student Visa Interview Process

An interview is one of the most important steps in obtaining a student visa. Certain countries demand an interview as part of the student visa application process, during which a consular official will ask questions about applicants' qualifications, strategies, and goals to study abroad. Here are a few pointers that students must consider before their interview:

1. Students must reach the interview location on time and with all the required documents, including passport, and any other original documents that one might have submitted with the application.

2. During the interview, students must clearly explain why they want to study in that particular country, and what are your plans after completing their education.

3. The interviewer's primary purpose is to verify that you are a genuine student with the necessary qualifications and financial resources to continue your education and stay in the country.

4. Lastly, applicants are advised to be honest, confident, and well-prepared to improve their chances of successful application.

Student Visa Abroad Success Rate

The success percentage for a student visa depends on various criteria, including the applicant's country of origin, academic qualifications, and economic status. Student visa success rate for some of the popular study abroad destinations is mentioned below:

Student Visa Success Rate for Indian Students

Points to Remember to Avoid Student Visa Rejection

International candidates requesting a student visa to study abroad should carefully submit their application so that it does not get rejected. Students must also look out for the below-mentioned common mistakes in the rejection of their student visas.

• Apply for education visas within a certain period to make sure that applications are processed on time.

• Attend visa interview with confidence and dress accordingly.

• Prevent giving confusing replies during the visa interview, and rather concentrate on answering questions directly and clearly.

• Never tell them your plans to stay back in the country after graduating.

• Students must submit all correct details and not disclose anything that is not related to the admission or student visa application.

• They must also provide the required documents to support their finances to avoid visa rejection.