This blog is a student visa study abroad guide for Indian students who want to pursue higher studies in an international country. Periodically, there is an increase in the number of Indian students who opt to study abroad.

Students’ choices to pursue higher education at overseas colleges are influenced by a variety of factors, such as exceptional employment chances, globally recognized education, multicultural experience, increased career growth, and an abundance of scholarship options. Foreign universities provide research-based study programs and high-tech facilities. As a consequence, many Indian students choose to pursue further study overseas. 

But international students must meet the minimum standards to finish the process of getting into their top choice foreign universities. This study abroad guide will help you understand the standard procedure that all institutions must adhere to, as well as extra regulations that vary by institution. 

All About Student Visa

Student visas are non-immigrant visas. Some countries refer to it as a study permit. This visa is for students who intend to pursue higher education overseas. On a student visa, you can enrol in a recognized university or college for a diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, or further education study program in another country.

Each nation has its own set of immigration regulations. They differ with respect to needed paperwork, proof of finances, etc. There are also a number of variables that apply to all student visas. After reading our study abroad guide 2023 for Indian students, you can plan ahead and finish the process without any problems.

When Should You Apply for a Student Visa?

Spending time learning in another country necessitates, at the very least, careful preparation. You should always plan their entrance and application procedures with the university’s dates in mind and work backwards from there. This is standard advice given to international students.

You must follow the university’s rules and take an eligibility exam such as IELTS or TOEFL to show you can speak and understand English well. Also, have all the paperwork you need ready to make sure your applications go through quickly and easily. Students are usually expected to send in their applications two to four months ahead of time, so they don’t have to rush at the last minute. If you want financial help like financial aid, scholarships, or student loans, you should add a couple of months to the process. This is because the applications for these types of help take longer.

Getting a visa to study abroad can be a long and time-consuming process that involves filling out forms and going to interviews, so you’ll need to manage your time well. For this reason, you should begin the application process for an international student visa as soon as you get confirmation that your application has been received.

Top 10 Universities to Apply for Studying Abroad

The top universities around the globe for Indian students to study MBA programs are:

Study Abroad Guide – Student Visa Documents Required

Each country has different types of student visas, such as the United States, which has three: the F1 visa for students moving to pursue higher education, the J1 visa for students moving to gain practical training, and the M1 visa for students moving to pursue a vocational or non-academic course.

So, decide what type of course you want to study abroad for and shortlist the country and the university. And according to the type of your preferred study program, you will have to apply for a student visa.

Below is the list of documents you’ll need for your visa application:

• Valid passport
• Proof of being a bonafide student
• Academic documents
• Bank statements as a proof of funds
• Loan approval letter
• Scholarship letter (if applicable)
• IELTS/TOEFL Score – Language Proficiency Test Score
• Statement of Purpose
• Letter of Recommendation

Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students to Apply for Student Visa

Before you can submit an application for a student visa, you may need proof that you are enrolled in a program at the institution or university you want to attend. So, getting an acceptance letter from the school you want to attend is the first step in applying for a student visa.

Next, you should make contact with the institution or college that you will be attending in order to get clarification about the kind of visa you will need to apply for and/or request that they provide you the required papers for your application.

After your school or college gives you information about the right visa you need to apply for and any papers you need to submit, you should be ready to send in an application.

In some countries, applications can be sent in many different ways, such as:

• Online
• By post
• Both online and by post.

If you don’t know how to apply for a visa, you should look at the website of the embassy or consulate of the country to which you will be travelling.

The processing of visa applications may take anything from a few days to many months, depending on the country and the nationality of the applicant. It is not a good idea to attempt to speed through the application process, and doing so might potentially cause you to lose your spot, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get your visa in order.

When applying for a student visa, if the applicant gives wrong information or leaves out important details, the visa will not be approved.

Candidates have two options for submitting their visa applications:

• The easier way to apply for a student visa is online. Applicants just need to create a “student profile” before starting the application process. All the paperwork is available online, and the student will be responsible for accurately filling it out.

• If you decide to apply for a visa offline, applicants need to download the application form, fill it out with their information, and send it to the appropriate authorities.

The next step involves making a payment for the visa application. During the application procedure, a student visa application fee would need to be paid by every applicant. In the last step of the process, the student must turn in a filled-out application and any supporting documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the appropriate time to apply for a student visa?

Students are strongly encouraged to send in their visa applications three to four months before their classes start. This gives them time to deal with any problems that might come up. It is highly recommended that you apply for a visa as soon as you have confirmed your enrolment at the school of your choice, since the process can sometimes take a while.

In-country visa extensions: are they possible?

This is entirely dependent on the school that you attend. In some countries, it’s easy to renew or extend your visa; in others, it’s much harder, and you may even have to leave the country to finish the process.

How long is the validity period for the student visa?

Different countries have different validity periods for student visas.

• In the United States, a student visa is valid for five years.
• The student visa in Australia may be used for up to 5 years.
• It has a validity period of three months in Germany. After the first three months, you must apply for a residence permit.
• In Canada, the study permit is good for an extra three months after the student finishes their program.

What are the charges for applying for a student visa?

Every nation requires applicants to pay a fee before the application for a visa may be processed. The cost of these services varies significantly from country to country. 

Do I risk having my student visa denied?

Yes. A consulate can decide on its own not to give out student visas.

How did I fail to meet the criteria for a student visa?

Following is a list of the most prevalent grounds for the rejection of a student visa:

• Lack of adequate cash or documents to support the study abroad program
• Inability to certify whether the student would return to India after finishing their course.
• False paperwork
• Unable to clear Language Proficiency Test
• Failure to deliver responses to interview persuasive questions

For comprehensive guidance and to enroll for iQuanta’s newly launched GMAT Course, visit the link below.

For daily practice questions and 24*7 doubt clarification, join the group linked below