Student visas are consistently one of the greatest challenges for education agents when enrolling international students. 44% of students cite visas as their primary consideration when choosing which country to study abroad. However, restrictive visa policies lead to lower student interest, high rejection rates, long processing times, significant delays, and lower student conversion rates, making recruitment efforts demanding and unpredictable.
Therefore, it’s crucial for education agents to prioritize visa policies when expanding to new markets. Targeting countries with visa-friendly policies, including easy application processes, work-while-study options, support for dependents, and postgraduation work options, will open up new recruitment opportunities in alternative markets that promise fewer rejections, higher enrollment rates, and a competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive landscape.
In this guide, we’ll outline how to put visa-friendly policies at the forefront of your recruitment strategies, which alternative markets to target, and what support is available to help you navigate this successfully.
If you’re ready to discover which countries we’ve identified as the best visa-friendly study abroad destinations, click here.
How to expand into visa-friendly markets
To successfully identify which visa-friendly markets to target, it is essential to consider what international students value when studying abroad. By understanding their needs and aligning them with accessible destinations, education agents can reduce barriers that lead to delays and complications in the visa application process.
The following are key visa policies to prioritize when determining which countries offer the most promising growth opportunities:
- Easy visa application process
Securing a visa can be daunting for international students applying to study abroad for the first time. A complex application process with numerous requirements can deter students or cause obstacles that lead to delays or rejection.
Look out for countries with high visa approval rates, minimal financial and documentation requirements, and digital applications for an easier, faster, and more streamlined experience.
These tend to have straightforward application procedures that reduce administrative burden and are more accessible to a wider range of applicants.
- Dependent-friendly visas
Studying abroad can be more challenging for international students with families, as some countries have strict or inaccessible policies for those looking to bring dependents (such as spouses or children) with them.
This is especially relevant for postgraduates, mature students, and students pursuing long-term programs.
Destinations that are more desirable and make applying for a visa easier have policies that allow dependents to stay for the duration of the student's studies, give dependents the right to work, and offer dependents access to healthcare and education.
- Work-while-study policies
For international students who want to find additional ways to support themselves financially and gain valuable employment experience, the ability to work while studying abroad is a significant draw.
Prioritize countries with flexible work rights for international students, including permission to work during term time, either alongside or as part of their study hours, give students the freedom to work both on and off campus, and impose fewer restrictions on working hours.
- Postgraduation work visas
Countries that provide opportunities to work and reside there after graduation are a compelling choice for many international students. With a postgraduate work visa, students typically have the right to work in their study abroad destination for between 1-3 years.
These locations often have high demand for international students in various industries, making them ideal for education agents with students looking to establish their careers abroad.
The best alternative markets with visa-friendly policies
To help you get started, here are some of the top alternative visa-friendly markets to explore:
Lithuania: Best for easy visa application process
Lithuania has an incredibly high visa approval rate of 87.25% due to its straightforward and highly successful application process.
Around 8,000 international students hold temporary residence visas in Lithuania, making this country a popular destination for long-term study. Most of these students come from India, Belarus, and Pakistan.
Lithuania has over 10,500 international students enrolled in higher education institutions across the country, with most students originating from Asia and Europe.
Morocco: Best for dependent-friendly policies
Morocco is known for being a family-friendly destination, and as such, it offers international students the option to bring dependents abroad with them through the Family Reunification visa. This is valid for 90 days, after which each dependent must apply for a Residence Permit to extend their stay.
Morocco has over 23,500 international students, with the majority being from African countries.
Hungary: Best for work-while-study opportunities
Hungary allows international students to work for up to 24 hours per week during the study term, or up to 90 days per year outside of the term. This makes it one of the best locations in Europe for gaining work experience while studying.
This is even more flexible for students who are part of an EEA state, who aren’t limited by working-hour restrictions, as long as they hold a registration card.
Around 37,500 international students are enrolled in Hungarian universities.
Belgium: Best for postgraduation work opportunities
Belgium offers a structured post-study work program for graduates to help them transition smoothly into the job market if they wish to pursue a career in the country. Graduates can apply for a 12-month residence permit, which allows them to seek employment or start a business during this time.
Once students have found a job, they can then apply for a combined single permit, which allows them to live and work in Belgium for more than 90 days.
More than 55,000 international students study at higher education institutions in Belgium.
Where to get support
We understand firsthand how beneficial additional support can be in navigating the visa process and maximizing market potential.
At Studee, we partner with education agents so that you have access to the tools and guidance needed to improve visa success rates, increase enrollments, and confidently expand into new visa-friendly markets.
Our support includes:
Pre-application checks and visa guidance: We help agents assess student eligibility and ensure all required documents meet visa and university standards, reducing the risk of application rejections.
Access to over 400 universities in 26 countries: Our global network allows agents to explore diverse study destinations, including visa-friendly alternatives that increase student enrollment potential.
Application progress tracking and reminders: We provide timely updates, keeping agents informed at every stage of the process
Dedicated account manager: Each agent receives personalized support from an expert who understands their recruitment needs and helps them navigate market-specific challenges
Fast application submissions: We process and submit applications within 48 hours so that you can get the right results without delay
Direct communication with universities: Agents can respond to universities directly, helping to accelerate your students' application journey
Next Steps
Now it’s time to put this strategy into action. By prioritizing study-abroad destinations with streamlined visa processes, strong work-while-study options, and clear postgraduation pathways, you can boost conversion rates, minimize application challenges, and enhance your agency’s success in new markets.
For expert support and access to top universities worldwide, learn more about becoming a Studee agent partner, or choose your price plan to start expanding today.