IEC International

Student Visa

What Is a Student Visa?

A student visa is an official document that allows holders to visit different foreign countries and pursue their education there. It falls under the category of non immigrant, which remains valid till the end of an academic course in a foreign country.

Students aspiring to study in foreign destinations to expand their career horizons need a student visa to pursue their dreams. This form of a visa requires an enormous amount of documentation and has a range of procedures that one needs to follow. This can be a long and tiresome process for a student already dealing with a lot of pressure. At IEC we aim to make this process smooth and hassle free for all our clients.

 

The Student Visa is usually valid for the period of time of the course selected by the student and requires a series of checks before it is granted. Some countries may offer students a chance to work while they are studying, while for some courses this permission may not be granted. These rules vary from country to country, and in some cases courses as well. There are also some differences in the checks and regulations of different countries that one needs to adhere to when applying for a Student Visa. Having a professional consultant, like IEC, is very important. It helps ensure that you have covered all your bases and are prepared for all possible contingencies. In some cases even if a student gets through a college, their visa may be rejected, having professional help in such situations can be invaluable.

There are essentially two stages of applications for this process, one is to apply for the college and one is for the Student Visa. The Student Visa application needs a number of documents to be furnished by the student in quest in. Documents like your acceptance letter from the college you applied to, your English proficiency examination results, as well as other recommendation letters should be gathered before submitting the application for the Student Visa.

It is important that the student is well prepared for the interview for the Student Visa. The interview assures the consulate of the intentions of the students and it is important to get it absolutely spot on. IEC helps you prepare for the interview in a thorough fashion and makes sure that you are familiar with the possible questions that can be asked. This is one of the most important stages of obtaining a Student Visa and should always be handled with the help of professionals.

What Are the Different Types of Student Visa?

There are several categories of student visas. For instance, there are 7 categories of student visas in Australia, while the United States extends 3 kinds of student visas – M1, F1, and J1. 

Individuals apply for an F1 visa when they plan to study at an accredited college or university or an approved school in the United States. M1 is issued to students who wish to pursue vocational training or activities at Universities in the United States. On the other hand, research scholars and professors get a J1 visa who are keen to participate in academic programmes that encourage cultural exchange.

In the United Kingdom, there are Tier 4 and short term student visas. The former are issued when students want to pursue education in the U.K. for more than 6 months. The latter is for those who have enrolled for a course that spans below 6 months. Likewise, the Indian Government also issues multi travel and provisional student visas according to requirements. 

So, there are different kinds of student visas. Applicants need to select one depending on their requirements.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria to Qualify for a Student Visa?

The eligibility criteria to apply for a student visa varies with each country. However, here are some of the common eligibility parameters that potential candidates must meet before applying for a student visa:

What Is the Application Procedure for a Student Visa?

The application process for a student visa initiates with a university providing a letter of acceptance. However, it is essential to note that application procedures differ in each country. So, it is crucial to go through the instructions set by an embassy of a country where individuals plan to apply. 

Students can apply online and offline. The online application process is convenient where applicants need to create a student profile on the concerned website and fill in the form with correct details. As far as the offline application process is concerned, candidates need to download the form, fill it in with relevant information, and submit it to the destination country’s consulate. 

The next step is to pay fees for a student visa. After the payment, individuals need to complete their application process by submitting relevant documents. Apart from it, applicants must note that visa interviews are a mandatory part of the application process for a few countries like the United States. IEC Global will be happy to help you in to assistance of Student visa application.

What Are the Documents Required to Apply for a Student Visa?

Applicants need to submit the following documents during a visa interview:

Note that the list is indicative, and the documentation process is different for each country. So, individuals must check the website of a country they wish to study to know about any additional document requirements. 

What Is the Application Processing Time and Fee Required for Student Visa?

The processing time of application for a student visa varies with every destination country. For example, the processing time of student visa applications in Canada is around 3 weeks. For Ireland, it takes approximately two weeks to process an application request. 

In the case of fees to be paid for processing a student visa, the amount differs from one destination country to another. For instance, candidates applying for a student visa in Australia may need to pay around AU$ 535.71. On the other hand, individuals applying for a student visa (F1) in the United States need to pay SEVIS fees of approximately $339.64. Note, that fees are subject to vary. Therefore, it is crucial to verify recent fees valid on a specific visa type with a consulate, and then applicants can pay the same using online payment modes or NEFT.

Can Applicants Extend the Validity of a Student Visa?

The answer is yes. Students can apply for an extension of a student visa when its validity ends before completing their education abroad.

Individuals should apply much before the expiry of the validity of their student visa to avoid any inconvenience. Ideally, students can apply for the same online or through mail 30 days before the expiry of their current visa.

What to Do if a Student Visa Is Denied to an Applicant?

If applicants face rejection in their application for a student visa, they can re-apply. However, individuals must recognise and rectify the cause of rejection to avoid rejection repeatedly.

A visa-application process often consumes time. Therefore, knowing the details of a student visa will streamline the entire application process for aspiring candidates.