So you have applied for your course at a foreign university, written your application essay, and finally have been selected for admission into an international university. Do not misunderstand that you have already done all the work. The next step is to apply for a visa in your selected destination, and the process is quite long. In this blog, we have broken down the entire process step by step so that you can make an international Student Visa Application without any confusion.
What are the steps to take to prepare for an international student visa application?
Preparing for a visa application to study abroad can seem overwhelming if you are unaware of all the steps and the other nitty-gritty.
These are the steps you can follow to apply for the visa:
1. Go through the offer letter.
Once your course application is approved, you will receive a letter of offer from your education provider. Before accepting the offer letter, and applying for the visa, read all the terms and conditions carefully. Ensure you know the fee refund policy if you decide not to complete the course, and your other rights and liabilities as a student. Keep a photocopy of it with you.
2. Confirmation of Enrolment.
Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) is a document issued by the college or university you are enrolled in. It is a verification document for your enrollment. You will receive it once you have accepted the offer letter and made the payment for your deposit. Include a copy of your COE in your international student visa application as proof of your enrolment in the selected course.
3. Visit the official embassy or consulate website of your country of study.
Before you go ahead with the visa application, you must have all the verified information from the official website of your country of study. Such a website will have all the verified, genuine information regarding visa applications, supporting documents, forms, and interviews. If you struggle to understand the guidelines, contact the student embassy or consulate via phone, email or in person. For any other queries or generic questions, you can also reach out for support on the official website of your university. In some countries, international students can apply for a visa through the institute, as well. It means the university will handle all the technical work. You can contact the international admissions cell of the university to ask if they have any such policy.
4. Proof of English proficiency.
All foreign universities will require you to appear for English proficiency tests and secure a minimum score to apply for a student visa. Check what tests are acceptable in your university, and after you pass the tests, you have to attach the pass certificates to your visa application.
5. Fill out the online student visa application.
The online international student visa application form will have questions regarding your personal information, reason to study in the designated location, university, etc. Most questions are related to details of your current financial, social, and family circumstances and how you will benefit from studying your selected course. If you are holding any visa apart from the student visa, provide your reasons for applying for the student visa. You might also have to provide details of your study history and other relevant questions asked in the form.
6. Provide translated copies of all your documents.
If all your supporting documents attached to your visa application are not in English, provide an English-translated copy of the documents, along with the original copies. Every translated document should also include the translator’s full name, address, and contact details, along with their qualifications and experience in the translated document.
7. Meet the financial capacity requirement.
To meet the requirements for an international student visa application, you need to provide documents of financial proof with your application that you have enough funds in your account to cover all costs and expenses related to the completion of your course, such as course fees, travel, and accommodation cost, etc. Different countries have different baseline financial criteria that you need to fulfil before applying for a visa.
8. Meet all the health and character requirements.
The government of every country will require its international students to meet certain health and character requirements before accepting their student visa application. So, you might have to undergo a full body health assessment to obtain proof that you meet all the health standards required for applying for a student visa. There are also some character checks you need to meet to apply for a student visa, such as lack of any substantial criminal record, no conviction or escaping from immigration detention, etc. You have to answer some basic questions related to your character and past conduct in your visa application. The authorities might also perform a police background check to verify the character-related information on your application.
9. Check all the travel requirements.
Stay updated with all the travel requirements for international students in your designated country. Make sure you meet all the requirements before applying for the visa. You can apply for a student travel visa and a specialized student travel insurance plan to ensure that your child does not face any safety issues or inconveniences.
10. Apply using an Immi Account.
You can apply for a student visa without an agent using an Immi account. If you find it inconvenient, you can seek help from a registered migration agent or a legal practitioner. Check your Immi account regularly to see if you need to provide any new information, such as biometric data (photo or fingerprint). Make sure you check all the checklists of requirements of supporting documents to avoid making any errors.
11. Submit additional information if you are under 18 or accompanying a student under 18 years of age.
If you are a student below 18 years of age applying for the visa, include additional details and documentation that proves your guardian’s identification and consent. If you are applying for a visa to accompany a student below 18 years of age, you need to attach your current bank statements to your Immi account to prove you have enough money to support both of you.
How long does it take for the visa application to get processed?
The time requirement for application assessment varies on a case-to-case basis. It depends on how quickly you respond to requests for additional information and how long it takes to perform all the required checks. The processing time also depends on the time needed to receive additional information from external agencies regarding character, health, and national security assessments. The number of spots available in the migration program for the permanent visa application will also influence the time need estimated timeframe on how long it can take to process your visa application.
Applying for an international student visa application can seem like an overwhelming task due to the number of steps and details involved. But if you follow the entire step-by-step procedure, chances are you can do the complete process in no time.