How to prepare your student visa application for studying abroad

There’s a lot to consider when applying for a student visa, but with the right preparation, it’s easier than you might think!

This guide will walk you through everything you need to think about before you apply so that you'll feel confident and ready to start your visa application.

In this guide we'll cover:

When to start applying for a student visa application: The best time to start your visa application and typical processing times

Where to apply for a student visa: Application options and how to locate your nearest embassy or consulate

Essential documents you need to apply for a student visa: Documents you need for your student visa and why they're important

How to apply for a student visa: Step-by-step instructions for completing your student visa application

Student visa interviews: What to expect and top tips

Student visa costs: An overview of visa fees around the world

Application approval and denial: Key reasons your visa could be approved or denied, and what to do for each outcome

When you can re-apply for a student visa: Guidance on how and when to reapply after a visa denial

How to find your local embassy or consulate: Links to official government embassy and consulate websites for more information on student visa regulations worldwide

When should you start applying for a student visa?

You can only apply for a student visa after receiving an acceptance letter from your university. However, you should aim to apply at least three months before entering your study abroad country.

This is why it’s important to apply to universities as early as possible – the sooner you submit your university application, the sooner you can apply for your visa.

Visa processing times vary by country and can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, so plan accordingly. The processing times below may be subject to change.

Some countries have limits on how early you can apply for your visa. For example, if you want to study in the United Kingdom, the earliest you can apply for a student visa is 6 months before the start of your program.

Where can you apply for a student visa?

You can apply for your student visa either at the local embassy or consulate of the country where you will be studying, or online through the country’s official immigration website.

To find your nearest embassy or consulate, visit your study abroad country’s government website, or search online for the relevant embassy or consulate in your region.

Make sure to check the embassy’s visiting hours and working days before going. It’s also a good idea to contact them in advance to confirm whether you need to apply in person or if you can complete the process online.

Essential documents you need to apply for a student visa

Before you apply for your visa, there’s a number of documents you’ll need to have ready to submit with your application. Each country has its own requirements, but generally you’ll need to have the following:

• Visa application form: Complete and submit this online or in-person at an embassy or consulate depending on the country’s requirements

• Proof of acceptance: An acceptance letter, email, or an I-20 document.

• Financial proof: Recent bank statements, scholarship or loan letters, deposit certificates, and proof of income to show you can cover living and tuition expenses for at least your first year of study. In some countries, you may need to show this through a blocked bank account. Make sure all your documents are up-to-date and properly formatted

• Passport: In most countries, your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you graduate. However, this can vary depending on the country, so make sure to check the specific passport validity requirements for your visa application

• Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs that meet the country’s visa guidelines

• Academic transcripts and certificates: Diplomas or certificates to provide evidence of test scores, grades, and qualifications from previous schools and universities

• Proof of English language proficiency: Most countries will expect you to take an English Language Test (ELT) to prove you can effectively participate in your studies and integrate into the local environment. Check university or visa requirements to find out what type of English Language Test (ELT) you need to take and what minimum score you need to achieve

• Proof of residence: A tenancy agreement, student residence reservation, or letter from your host as proof of where you plan to live during your studies

• Personal statement: A letter that explains why you chose that particular university, program, and country, what you know about each, what your personal interests and hobbies are, and what your plans are after graduation

• Health insurance: If you need to apply for health insurance to receive healthcare abroad, you may be asked to present proof of your coverage to obtain a student visa

How to apply for a student visa

1. Accept your university offer

Once you received and accepted an offer to study at your university, you can apply for your student visa.

2. Gather your documents

Ensure you have all the necessary documents for your visa application. We’ll make you aware of any missing documents and let you know the deadlines for submitting them.

3. Complete and submit your application form

Complete the visa application form online or on paper. Submit it with your documents to the correct embassy or consulate, or bring them to your interview if needed.

4. Pay the visa application fee

You will be expected to pay for your student visa application, so make sure that you can cover this cost. The fee will vary depending on the country.

5. Schedule and attend an interview

Visa interviews are a standard practice so that visa officials can get to know you better and learn more about your reasons for studying abroad. Book your interview early and practice common visa interview questions so that you know what to expect.

6. Attend a biometrics appointment

You may need to schedule an appointment to give your fingerprints and have your photo taken. This could be part of your visa interview or a separate appointment at a visa application center.

This is a normal process when entering certain countries, whether you're staying long-term or just for a short holiday.

7. Wait for processing

Visa processing times vary. Apply as early as possible to avoid delays and ensure that you leave plenty of time for your visa to arrive before you travel to your study abroad destination.

8. Receive your student visa

You may receive a decision on your visa application right after your interview or within a few days or weeks. Once approved, your visa will be mailed to you, or you can pick it up at the embassy or consulate. It will either be stamped in your passport or issued as a separate document.

Student visa interviews

Some countries may require you to attend in-person interviews or appointments as part of the visa application process. Alternatively, your visa interview may also take place online.

In-person interview

• Where: An embassy or consulate

• Format: Face-to-face with a consular officer or immigration official

• What you need: Identification, required student visa documents, and the ability to travel to and from interview location

Online interview

• Where: Online through a video conferencing platform (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)

• Format: Virtual meeting with a consular officer or immigration official

• What you need: A working laptop and microphone with the required video conferencing software, strong internet connection, and digital copies of student visa documents

Visa interview top tips

• Take a mock interview or practice common interview questions in advance

• Arrive early for your interview to avoid delays. This will give you enough time for check-in and any necessary security checks

• Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer and sit with good posture

• Answer questions clearly and confidently, keeping your responses brief and relevant to the question

• Wear appropriate interview attire

• Keep a positive attitude

Whether your student visa interview is online or in person, it’s important to follow the same rules and make a good impression.

Student visa costs

You need to know the cost of obtaining a student visa before you apply so that you can factor this into your study abroad budget.

• Australia

The visa costs $1,600 AUD, excluding additional expenses such as health checks, police certificates, and biometric tests.

You’ll need to provide proof that you can cover costs like tuition fees and living expenses, which must be at least $29,710 AUD per year.

• Canada

A study permit costs $150 CAD, and you must have a minimum of $20,635 CAD per year in a bank account to pay for tuition, living expenses, and return transportation.

• France

If your current country of residence is eligible for the Etudes en France (EEF) online enrollment scheme, the fee to apply for a student visa is €50 EUR. For non-EEF countries, the student visa application fee is €99 EUR.

You need to show that you can afford at least €615 EUR per month to cover tuition and living expenses.

• Germany

For a long-term visa (National D-Visa), applications cost €75 EUR. The short-term visa (Schengen Visa) costs €90 EUR to apply for.

If you’re planning to study in Germany for over 90 days, you will need a residence permit: Your first residence permit usually costs around €110 EUR, with the fee to extend averaging around €100 EUR.

Through a blocked bank account, you must demonstrate that you have at least €11,904 EUR per year set aside for tuition and living expenses.

• New Zealand

The fee to apply for a student visa starts at $750 NZD and is determined by your country of residence.

You must have a minimum of $20,000 NZD per year for tuition fees and living costs.

• Spain

The visa application fee varies, but is usually around €80 EUR.

You will need to apply for a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) if you plan to study in Spain. This is a residence card that generally costs between €10 and €20 EUR, but this can change depending on the region you apply from.

You must also prove that you have a minimum of €600 EUR per month to pay for tuition and living expenses.

• United Kingdom:

It costs £490 GBP to apply for a student visa if you live outside the UK.

You must demonstrate that you can afford tuition fees and living expenses. If you’re studying in London, you need to show you can cover at least £1,483 GBP per month for up to nine months. For programs outside of London, the minimum is £1,136 GBP per month for up to nine months.

• United States:

When you apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa, you will be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks and monitors international students studying in the USA. As part of this process, you must pay a SEVIS fee of $350 USD.

Additionally, there is a visa application fee of $185 USD, known as the MRV (Machine Readable Visa) or DS-160 fee.

There is no specific minimum amount you need to prove for tuition fees and living expenses, but it is recommended that you can cover the costs for at least the first year. This could be anywhere between $25,000–$75,000 USD depending on your university and location.

Application approval and denial

What factors can improve your chances of having your student visa application approved, and what might lead to its denial?

Student visa approval criteria:

• Acceptance into your program: Your visa won’t be approved without an official offer of admission from your university

• Relevant documentation: Ensure that all documents are up to date, accurate, complete, and submitted on time for a smoother application process

• Financial stability: You must demonstrate that you can financially support yourself while studying abroad, including covering your tuition and living expenses

• Language proficiency: Understanding the language that you’ll be studying in is important for academic success. You could be asked to take a language proficiency test (such as IELTS or TOEFL) to prove your language skills

• Health insurance: Many countries require international students to have health insurance coverage to obtain a student visa and access healthcare during your stay

• Intent to go home: Student visas grant you temporary entry into another country, so you need to prove that you genuinely intend to return home once your studies are complete. This can be established through ties to your home country, such as family, employment, or property, and by showing that you have a clear plan for after you graduate

Student visa denial factors:

• Rejection from program: If you fail to meet entry requirements and aren’t accepted onto your chosen program, you won’t be able to apply for a student visa

• Incomplete documentation: Submitting incomplete or incorrect documents can slow down the application process and even result in immediate visa denial as it can raise questions about your eligibility and readiness to study abroad

• Insufficient funds: Immigration authorities assess your financial stability to confirm that you can fulfill any requirements like tuition and living expenses and sustain yourself for the duration of your studies. Failure to afford the minimum funds required can result in your application being rejected

• Lack of language proficiency: If you haven’t completed a language proficiency test or achieved the minimum score required for your program, it may indicate that you could struggle academically. This can lead immigration authorities to question your suitability as a student

• Previous visa violations/previously denied visa: A history of violating or losing your visa can significantly affect future visa applications. If you’ve overstayed a visa, violated its conditions, or had a visa denied in the past, authorities may question your ability to follow regulations and see you as a higher risk for losing your visa again

• Eternal student: If you’ve pursued education for an extended period or obtained multiple degrees at the same academic level, immigration authorities may interpret this as showing a lack of purpose or clear plans for your future. If you cannot adequately explain your educational history, your visa application could be denied

• Country incompatibility: Some countries face stricter rules from immigration authorities due to geopolitical issues or security concerns. If your study abroad destination has specific restrictions against your home country, or you’re considered as being from a high-risk location, this can complicate your visa application and lead to it being denied regardless of your qualifications

• Unclear intent for returning home: Immigration authorities need proof that you don’t intend to overstay your visa or seek permanent residence in your study abroad country. If you can’t reinforce your commitment to return home when your studies are complete, your application may be rejected

If your student visa is approved:

• Prepare to travel abroad: Make sure you leave plenty of time to organize your accommodation for the year and have made travel arrangements before you set off

• Understand visa conditions: All student visas have a set of conditions that you need to follow. Ensure that you familiarize yourself with visa expectations so you avoid losing your visa while studying abroad, and understand any restrictions such as work limits that you might experience

If your student visa is denied:

• Review the decision Carefully read your denial notice to understand why you were rejected and how you can address any issues raised

• Consider reapplying If you believe you can make the necessary improvements to your application then prepare to reapply. Ensure you have everything you need and bear in mind that continual refusal could impact your future chances at securing a visa

• Seek advice Consult an immigration advisor, legal expert, or student advisor if you need additional advice and guidance on applying for your student visa

When can you re-apply for a student visa?

• After denial

Most countries don’t enforce a waiting period after your visa is denied, but you should still leave time to reflect on your denial and strengthen your application.

Don’t rush straight back into reapplying because it’s unlikely you can immediately resolve the reason for your visa denial. Make sure you acquire the additional documentation or evidence you need.

• After visa expiry

If you want to continue studying in the country after your visa expires, you can generally reapply immediately, but you must be able to prove that you have a relevant purpose for remaining in the country, that you can still meet eligibility requirements, and that you can provide the necessary documentation.

Apply for an extension or renewal of your visa prior to the expiration date. If you fail to do so, you’ll be seen as overstaying your visa and likely have to apply for a restoration of status before you can reapply. This is a much more complicated process and might require legal advice, so avoid this if you can.

• Transitioning programs

If you want to change to a different university program, you might need to apply for a new visa. Be prepared to return to your home country until this application is approved.

Some countries will allow you to stay for a specific period so that you can transition without leaving the country or reapplying immediately.

For instance, if you’re applying for a program at the same institution and at the same level of study as your previous program, you could be allowed to change your program without needing to apply for a new visa

• Change of circumstances

If your circumstances change (e.g. change in financial status, academic program, or personal situation) you might need to to reapply for a new visa, as you could risk no longer meeting the specific conditions of your visa status.

Consult official guidelines from the government website or immigration office of your study abroad country for specific information, or seek advice from a professional or advisor who can guide you through how to reapply and when.

Find your local embassy or consulate

Every country has specific rules that can affect your ability to get a student visa or influence your choice of study destination. For example, in the United Kingdom, international postgraduate students cannot bring family members on a student visa unless they are studying a research course or receiving a scholarship funded by the government. This makes it more challenging for students with dependents to study there.

It's essential to understand the processes, policies, and regulations that might affect you. This will help you make an informed decision about studying in your chosen country, and prepare you for your visa application.

Below is a list of official embassy and consulate websites where you can find detailed information about applying for a student visa:

For more information on student visas, read our guide on how to prepare for a student visa interview, or contact us at [email protected]