Applying for a Student Visa

Students from outside of the Country experience much of the same College/University search and application processes if they decide to study at a University. But international students must not only be accepted to a University; they must also obtain permission from the government to live and study in the Country. Although the process is relatively straightforward, getting that permission requires good planning and preparation. Read on for the basics of applying for a student visa.

Admission Process
Before you can apply for a visa, you must know what College/University you’ll be attending. International students must research their University options, apply to several Universities, and be accepted to at least one of them. International students must also prove to the college of their choice that they can pay all college fees and living expenses. Some financial and merit aid may be available to international students, depending on the University you choose, but you still must have a well-thought-out, documented financial plan for your years.

Once you’ve been accepted and the University is satisfied that you can support yourself, the University will send you an offer letter. This documents that you have been offered admission to the college and that the college is satisfied that you can afford to study there. It also gives you a date when you’re expected to arrive at the college to begin classes.

The offer letter is one of the main documents you’ll need to apply for a student visa.

Documents and More Documents
Once you receive your offer letter from the University , it’s time to put together the other documents you’ll need to apply for the visa. Students who plan on attending a four-year or two-year academic program should apply for the study visa.

You need several main documents to apply for a visa:

• Form offer letter, which you receive from the University .
• Visa Application Form which you can get from your local embassy or website.
• A passport that is valid for at least the next six months (preferably longer).
• A passport-sized photo of yourself.
• A receipt that shows payment of the visa processing fee. How you pay the fee differs in each country, so make sure to check with your local embassy or consulate for details. In some countries, you may not be able to pay the fee at the consulate.

Although these documents are the only official ones needed to apply, you also need to gather documentation to support certain aspects of your visa application.

The Big Three Questions
Your visa application, supporting documentation, and your interview with a consular officer (see below) must work together to answer the following questions:

• Are you a real student?
• Do you intend to return to your home country after University?
• Do you have enough money to support yourself while in the abroad (without getting a job, which is illegal for nonimmigrant students)?

The documents needed to answer these questions may be different depending on your country and your situation, but they may include any or all of the following:

• Your academic record to date.
• Copies of scores from any standardized tests you’ve taken (SAT, TOEFL, GRE, etc.).
• Letters of admission and financial aid awards from your University.
• Financial documents, such as your and your family’s bank statements, tax documents showing your/your family’s income, and statements from any investments that you plan to use to finance you education.
• Documents showing any scholarships or financial help from other sources ( University financial aid, governmental or organizational grants, outside scholarships).
• Business registration or licenses and other documents if you or your family owns a business.
• Evidence that you intend to return to your home country, such as a statement from an employer that you’ll be considered for a job or have been offered a job after you complete your study; evidence that you own assets in your home country; anything else that shows that you have strong ties to your home country.

If you’re not sure what documents you should bring, contact to your University for international students, or someone at the embassy/consulate.

The Interview
All visa applicants must have an interview with an officer at their country’s embassy or consulate. Different consulates may schedule interviews differently, so check with the consulate ahead of time.

Also, embassies and consulates in some countries are very busy and may have a long waiting list for visa interviews. It’s a good idea to check with the consulate early in the contact application process, even before you receive an offer letter, just in case your consulate has a waiting period. Some countries may have a months-long waiting period; others may be able to schedule interviews fairly quickly.

During this interview, consular officers will ask you a variety of questions about your plans for your education, finances and career after University. Again, they are looking for any reason to believe that you’re not a real student, that you may be planning to stay in the Country illegally, or that you won’t be able to support yourself financially in the Country.

The best way to succeed in your interview is to arrive well-prepared. Think through your answers to some of the following questions:

• Why do you want to study in abroad ?
• Why did you choose this University ?
• Why did you choose this major? What jobs does this major prepare you for?
• How will studying in abroad prepare you for a job here at home?
• What have you been involved in that shows your commitment to your home country?
• How will you pay for the University fees and living expenses?
• Other questions about the country, your educational plans, your career plans, and your finances.

You may wish to practice your answers with a counselor or friend. Be polite, and make your answers short and to the point. Most interviews are less than five minutes, so short answers are best.

Start the Process Early
Now evaluates applicants more carefully than in the past, and some applications require additional security screening. With these changes, advance planning is very important for international students.

For More Information
This is only an overview of what international students can expect . For more detailed information and help, talk to your international students department at your University.

If you have questions about the visa process, come to our office directly.