Student Visa Guide

Student Visa Guide

It is very common amongst Indians to pursue their college or higher education abroad to seek better career opportunities. In 2019 alone, there were 7,53,000 Indian students studying abroad. The process of going abroad, from selecting a country and a course to applying for a study visa to finally making it there is a lengthy one.

What is a student visa?

It is a type of non-immigrant visa granted by a country to a student from another country to stay there for the purpose of education. It is valid for the time that you are studying in a particular country.

What are the types of student visas?

There are different types of student visas in different countries. For example, Australia offers 7 types of student visas. A US student visa is of three types, which are as follows.

• An F1 visa is granted to a student planning to pursue academic studies at an approved school or college or accredited university in the US.

• An M1 visa is issued to a student who wants to participate in a vocational activity or training at a US university.

• A J1 visa is for a professor, a research scholar, or an exchange student who has taken part in an educational program promoting cultural exchange.

What is the eligibility criteria for a study visa?

These depend on the country you are planning to visit. Some countries have different eligibility criteria for different foreign countries. Generally, the following requirements need to be fulfilled.

• The educational authority needs to approve and accept your visa application.

• You will need proof of your ability to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses.

• Your past academic record should be good.

• You should fulfil the character requirements of the specific country.

• You should fulfil the health requirements of the country.

• You might even be required to prove your ability to purchase health insurance.

What are the documents required for a student visa?

• A valid Indian passport

• A recent passport size photo

• Fee receipts of visa application

• VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) appointment letter

In case of a US student visa, you will also need

• DS-160 confirmation (DS-160 is an online non-immigrant visa application form)

• Form I-120 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (for M1 or F1 visa)

• SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee receipt (for M1 or F1 visa)

The selected country’s embassy might ask you for additional documents.

What are the fees for a study visa?

The fees are different for different countries. You can check with the specific country’s Consulate and make an online payment.

How can one apply for a student visa?

This process, again, can be different for different countries. The fastest mode of application, generally, is an online application. You can check the entire process on the embassy website.

The procedure for a US student visa is as follows.

• Make sure that the schools you have applied to are SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certified schools and you have an approval from them.

• Fill the DS-160 online visa application form.

• Then, you will get an application number and a password, which will give you access to your DS 160 confirmation page.

• Make an online payment. Generally, it is Rs.10,880 (subject to change).

• Book an appointment at the VAC (Visa Application Center).

• Book another appointment for the US Embassy for your interview.

Travel insurance for students

One of the crucial things to take care of in this journey is to get yourself a travel insurance plan. Some countries have made it mandatory to have travel insurance while applying for a visa. MOreover, it protects you against uncertainties and emergencies during your travel. Student Travel Insurance plan, available on Bajaj Markets will cover medical expenses, trip delays, cancellations, provide 24x7 on-call support, and even parents’ visits. It requires minimal documentation and medical check-ups. Planning a next trip abroad for higher education, consider student travel insurance on Bajaj Markets.

Conclusion

A student visa is a crucial and elaborate process. While you focus on that, do not forget to take care of essentials like travel insurance.

Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance

Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance, available on Bajaj Markets covers medical expenses, loss of passport, loss of laptop, bail bond coverage, etc. It gives you the benefits of a fast online process, hassle free settlement, automatic claim settlement, and more than 10,000 network hospitals. While you are busy making travel plans, do not forget to insure yourself so that you can travel stress-free.