MVV (Provisional Residence Permit) – an entry visa.

VVR (Residence permit) - if you plan to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months, additional to your entry visa, you will also have to apply for Residence Permit (VVR) – an ID card that stands as a study visa.

It currently costs a non-refundable fee of EUR 311 to process an application for an MVV and residence permit for the purpose of studying in the Netherlands. The fees are reviewed twice yearly, and are subject to change mid-year.

Visa Requirements

The visa application procedure is initiated by the university as soon as the student is officially admitted to the study program.

Documents required for the visa application are listed in the letter sent by the university to prospective students. Usually, the following documents are needed:

a copy of the first page (identity page) of a valid passport;

proof that you can support yourself financially;

additional passport-sized photos (size: 35mm x 45mm, see IND requirements in.pdf);

proof of tuition fees and visa application payments;

proof of accommodation arranged for at least 1 academic year (10 months);

for Chinese students, a NESO certificate may be necessary.

Valid proof of a candidate’s financial self-sufficiency can be demonstrated as follows:

A letter from the host Dutch institution that mentions your internship fee or trainee stipend.

An admission letter from the Dutch university providing details of your student grant, tuition waiver, or scholarship.

Your bank account statement with an international bank, indicating enough funds to pay for your proposed expenses in The Netherlands.

The processing time for your student visa application to the Netherlands is usually one month, although sometimes it can take up to 3 months.

The residence permit is issued for the duration of a student’s study program plus 3 months, up to a maximum of 5 years. If the student wishes to complete a preparatory course, its duration will be added to the visa duration. If the length of the education will take more than 5 years, the residence permit can be extended by one additional year.

There is another condition attached to the validity of VVR. It stays valid provided the student scores 50% of credit throughout the course duration.

Graduates of higher education or university studies (bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. degrees) can apply for an orientation year for graduates' permit within three years of graduating. This gives you one year to look for employment, during which time you can work without any restrictions or the need for an employer to hold a work permit for you.

The education institution must apply on your behalf so you need to contact them for details of the procedure. If not, ask for help by contacting the international office (or if you are a researcher, the HR department) of your host institution.

If you’re a citizen of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland, you don’t need a student visa or residence permit to stay in the Netherlands.

Non-EU, EEA or Swiss nationals need a residence permit to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days – for a shorter period, you only require a tourist visa. There are two documents you need. In most cases, you will need a provisional residence permit (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, MVV) to travel to the Netherlands. In addition, you will need a residence permit (VVR) in order to stay in the country.

Citizens of a few countries or people in certain circumstances are exempt from having to apply for a VVR. You can read more about this here: 

https://www.expatica.com/nl/visas-and-permits/Getting-a-Dutch-visa-or-temporary-residence-permit_108412.html

Your visa application may be rejected if you are not able to show proof of the required funds, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents.

All international students are permitted to work alongside their studies.

For non-EU and non-EEA students, a work permit is required to work. This permit has to be obtained by the prospective employer on your behalf. Even with this work permit, students can work only for a limited number of hours, i.e. 10 hours a week. They are allowed to work full-time during the months of June, July, and August.

Students from the EU, EEA (except Croatia), and Switzerland do not require a work permit.

Netherlands

For students outside of the EU/EEA or Switzerland who wish to take part in a student exchange, carry out research or training or work as an unpaid intern or volunteer in Spain for more than three months.

The prices for a student visa to Spain are around EUR 160. The visa application fee is subject to change at any time.

Before you can apply for a study visa you have to find a course or program with an officially recognized institution in Spain. You will then need to get official confirmation from the organization outlining that you have been accepted on the course or program, in the form of a certificate or letter of acceptance. Once you have this, you can contact the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country and apply for a student visa.

Exactly what is required may vary from consulate to consulate but in general, you’ll need to show your passport, as well as the following:

details of the study, training, or research that you’ll be doing in Spain, including the hours of study per week (20 at least);

a medical certificate confirming that you don’t have any diseases that would require you to be quarantined;

proof that you have the funds to support you for the duration of your stay in Spain (eg. scholarship details, a Spanish bank showing sufficient funds, or letter from parents/guardians assuming full financial responsibility);

information about where you’ll be living;

a criminal record certificate issued in the last five years by the relevant authorities in your home country.

If you are staying in Spain for more than six months to study, you must apply for a student residence permit within 30 days of entering Spain. You apply for it at your local Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or a police station. The card is valid for a year and you can renew it every year for five years as long as you are continuing with your studies.

You’ll need to apply for your visa between two and three months before you intend to travel to Spain to allow time to process your application.

Generally, a student visa in Spain is granted for the entire duration of the course of study. You can renew your student visa to further extend your studies or take up a new course of study in Spain. Do not attempt to submit your student visa application more than four months in advance or less than 7 weeks before the departure date, else the application will not be accepted.

If your studies in Spain are for more than six months, you must apply for a student residence permit that lasts one year. The student residence permit has to be renewed every year.

You can apply for a study visa at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country.

Citizens from the EU/EEA or Switzerland do not require a student visa regardless of the length of their stay in Spain. EU/EEA/Swiss students don’t need a visa to live in Spain, but will have to register with the local authorities and get a residence certificate.

Citizens of all other countries require a student visa if they plan to stay and study for more than 90 days in Spain. This visa is granted to those students who have already been accepted for admission by a recognized educational institute in Spain.

Here are some of the reasons why a student visa to Spain may be denied:

Insufficient explanation for the purpose and circumstances of the planned stay

Lacking to present a proof of accommodation

Unfavorable Schengen visa situation - Failing to previously respect Schengen Visa limitations (i.e. Overstay in the Schengen Area, failing to follow the presented travel itinerary – by skipping to stay mostly in the main country of destination in the Schengen Area, and so on).

The Spanish residence permit entitles you to work either part-time or in a temporary position, so long as you’re not using the money you earn to support yourself while you’re in Spain. You are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week while you are studying, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies. The company that employs you will need to get a work permit for you from the Foreigner’s Office. Your employment contract cannot exceed the duration of the study visa.

If you’ll be undertaking an internship as part of your course for which your residence permit was granted, you don’t need a work permit.

Spain

For all programs of study, you will need to apply for a subclass 500 student visa.

The Special Category visa (subclass 444) is for New Zealand nationals who wish to study in Australia.

The current fees in order to apply for a student visa are set to $560 AUD (~400 €). The price is always the same no matter the length of your studies. Please note that this price may vary depending on the location where you apply for your Student Visa (Australia or onshore).

Before applying for a visa, you will need to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a Letter of Offer confirming that you have been accepted into a course registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of Courses (CRICOS).

When completing your online visa application form, you will need to provide evidence that you meet:

Financial requirements - the amount you need to prove you have for living costs (separate from tuition and travel) is set at AU$19,830 (~US$15,170) for a year. Alternatively, you can show evidence that your spouse or parents are willing to support you and that they earn at least AU$60,000 (~US$45,850) a year.

English proficiency requirement - If you’re not from an English-speaking country (and haven’t completed at least five years’ study in an English-speaking country) you’ll need to prove you can speak English to the required level with IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, or Cambridge Advanced English (CAE).

Health requirement - Some students may be asked to take a medical and/or a radiological check-up to show they are in good health (this applies, for example, to those who intend to train as a doctor, dentist or nurse). Except those from Belgium or Norway, all students are obliged to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Character requirements - Australian student visa requirements stipulate that you must be of good character to enter Australia. This includes a criminal record check.

Typically, students must submit the following:

Completed Australian student visa application form (157A)

Paid visa application fee – currently AU$550 (~US$420 in most cases

Copy of passport biodata page (some students may be asked to physically provide their passport)

Certificate of Enrolment or Letter of Offer

After you have assembled and scanned your supporting documents, you’ll need to create an account and apply with the online ‘ImmiAccount’ application system: 

You can only make an application for an Australian student visa after you have received a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your chosen university.

Most visa applications take four weeks to process. The student visa duration depends on the program you choose. If you study in Australia for a course that is longer than 10 months and finishes at the end of an Australian academic year (usually mid-December) your visa will usually be valid until 15 March the following year. If your course is longer than 10 months and finishes in January to October, your visa will usually be valid for two months following the completion of your course.

You can renew your Student Visa as many times as you want, as long as you are enrolled in a course approved by CRICOS.

You can enter Australia on your student visa up to 90 days before your course starts. Within seven days of arrival, you must inform your education provider of your resident address, and also inform them within seven days if you change address.

This subclass 500 visa must be applied for using the online system.

Anyone enrolling as an international student on a course lasting four months or more in Australia will need a student visa. In order to apply for an Australian student visa, you must have an unconditional offer of place at a university, have accepted that place in writing and paid the required tuition fee deposit. The program you choose must be between 12 and 52 weeks in order to be eligible for a student visa.

Your student visa application may be rejected, among other things, if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents, or if you do not meet the necessary financial, character, or health requirements.

While on a student visa, you may work up to 40 hours per fortnight during term time, and full-time in the holidays. Work that is a formal, registered part of your course is not included in the limit. If you’re studying a master’s by research or a Ph.D. you do not have any work restrictions.

Australia

 - issued to those who go to China to study for more than 6 months.

 - issued to those who go to China to study for a period of less than 6 months.

The student visa application fee varies according to your nationality, the number of entries required, the country you are applying in, and whether you want an express service. The fees can be around $30 to $150.

 http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/fd

. Fill the visa application form carefully and accurately on your computer. Take a printout of the filled-in application form and sign it. Remember that a print out of the application form is essential as hand-written forms are not acceptable. Note that change or correction is not allowed on the printed form.

The following documentation should be submitted at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate:

Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.

One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background.

Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)

Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.

Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

After arrival: X1 visa holders must register at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 30 days of arrival in China and apply for a Temporary China Residence Permit from the local PSB. X2 holders shall stay in China within the duration period as indicated on the visa, and it is not necessary for them to apply for the temporary residence permit.

Apply for a student visa at least a few weeks in advance of your planned travel date to allow enough time for the application procedure to be completed on time for you to join your course. The regular processing time is 4 working days. If you want to collect your visa earlier, express service and rush service are available for an extra charge.

X1 visa is normally issued for multiple entries with validity of up to 5 years. X2 visa is usually issued for one entry with validity for up to 6 months.

You can submit your visa application form at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate or at the Chinese diplomatic mission in your home country. In case you cannot come personally for the submission, you can send it through a travel agency or a visa agency for submission on your behalf. Remember that applications sent by post are not accepted by most of the Chinese Embassies or Consulates.

Any foreign student who intends to study in China will have to obtain China student visa (X visa). This visa is granted to those students who have already been accepted for admission by a recognized educational institute in China.

Here are some important things that you should not do when applying for a student visa to China:

Do not attempt to submit your student visa application form by sending it through the post as it will not be accepted.

Do not present false documents for your student visa.

Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your visa application.

Foreign students are permitted to do part-time work in China. The university should issue a Consent Letter; the hiring unit/company should issue a Certification; the police station will then mark on your visa "Part-time-work; Part-time-study".

China

The cost of issuing a student visa varies depending on the nationality. It can be anywhere between US$17 and $30.

Applicants are required to apply for a visa in person through a pre-arranged interview appointment.

Valid passport with at least 6 months after the return.

Original Letter of acceptance from the school/institution in Mexico.

Original Letter or Certificate indicating the covering expenses of the student, including the full scholarship and in case they will stay with a host family do not forget to attach the ID of the leading member of the family. In case the scholarship or expenses are not included, it's mandatory to present the account statements for the last 3 months.

In case of minors - Student’s birth certificate duly Apostilled.

International students are required to show proof of medical/accidental insurance with international coverage.

Medical statement showing good health and indicating that the candidate is free from any of the illnesses is also required.

One Photograph in color, passport size with the face uncovered.

Once applicants have entered Mexican territory, they must, within the first 30 calendar days, apply to the National Migration Institute for the residence card that accredits their legal stay in the country and allows them to remain in Mexico.

A Mexican student visa can be issued in an average of 2 days and can take up to 3 weeks, depending on the nationality of the applicant. You should apply well in advance.

The validity of student visa is of one year.

You must apply in person for a Student Temporary Resident Visa at the Consular Office closest to your place of residence.

If you are a citizen or a permanent resident of the Schengen Area, UK, USA, Canada or Japan, or if you have a valid visa for any of those countries, you do not require a visa to Mexico if the purpose of your visit is studying, and if the duration of your stay does not exceed 180 days.

Students who are from other countries, or who will be visiting for a period longer than 180 days must apply for a student visa to Mexico.

Immigration authorities may decide to refuse the request to enter the country if the applicant is subject to criminal process or has been convicted of a serious crime.

Students cannot work or engage in any remunerative activity while on a student visa in Mexico.

When the student has been invited by a Mexican company/Institution to perform lucrative activities, the Mexican company/institution must request a work permit at the National Migration Institute in Mexico (

Mexico

 (formerly called a South African study permit)

 - If you are older than 25 years and want to come to South Africa on a cultural, economic, or social exchange program, organized between an educational institution or government body in South Africa and one in a foreign country.

The South African student visa application fees depend on your country of origin but are around US$47.

First, you need to get accepted as a student by a registered South African school, college, or university and receive a letter of acceptance on the institution’s letterhead and signed by or on behalf of the principal or registrar.

You then need to complete the temporary residence permit application form B1-1738 and take it in person to the South African embassy, consulate, or high commission in your home country.

The following documents must be submitted with the BI-1738 application form:

A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit

A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act

Proof of financial means to cover envisaged living expenses during the sojourn in the Republic and to also pay for the tuition fees. This should be in the form of bank statements / cash available / travelers’ cheques

A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return ticket.

In the case of African students, an undertaking from the relevant government to take full responsibility of the student and to pay all costs, should it become necessary to deport the student

An unabridged birth certificate in the case of minors.

In the case of a minor, the particulars of the person in the Republic of South Africa who will act as the learner’s guardian and a letter from such person confirming guardianship

Consent from both parents for your stay in South Africa, or from the parent who has sole custody, along with proof of sole custody

An official letter from the educational institution, where you intend to study, confirming provisional acceptance and the duration of the course.

Proof of medical cover renewed annually for the period of study with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act.

If you are 18 years and older, a police clearance certificate from each country in which you resided for 12 months or longer since the age of 18 years is required.

You apply for an exchange permit (South African exchange visa) using the same application form B1-1738.

Application process times vary from country to country but allow about six weeks.

The student visa is valid for the entire duration of the student’s course, alternatively 36 months for schools and 24 months for other institutions.

South African exchange visa - this visa is granted for the duration of the exchange, usually not more than 12 months. The South African exchange visa cannot be renewed or extended. Once you have had this type of permit, you may only apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit after you have lived for at least a year outside of South Africa.

To get a visa for South Africa, students must contact the South African High Commission, Consulate, or Embassy in their country of residence.

An international student who wants to stay and study in South Africa for a course extending 3 months (90 days) duration will have to apply for a student visa. This visa is granted to those students who have already been accepted for admission by a recognized educational institute in South Africa.

In order to qualify for a study visa for South Africa, the school or college itself must first qualify as a ‘learning institution’. This means it must be registered with either the Department of Basic Education or the Department of Higher Education. So if you want to attend a private language school or a school only offering short-term technical courses, you may not qualify for a South African study visa.

Please note: You cannot come to South Africa on a visitor’s visa and then proceed to apply for a South African student visa. You cannot come to South Africa on a visitor’s visa and then proceed to apply for a South African student visa.

There are numerous reasons why your student visa application to South Africa may be denied, such as:

Having an out-of-date passport with no blank pages

If you hold a South African student visa and are studying at tertiary level, you are allowed to work part-time for no more than 20 hours a week during term-time, and full-time during vacations.

South Africa

For non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who want to study in Belgium for a period exceeding 90 days.

You can expect to pay $200 or more for processing your visa application. The fees are subject to change.

Before applying for a student visa for Belgium, you first need to be accepted onto a course at an accredited educational institution and pay the registration fees (this will be refunded if your visa application is rejected). If you are an international student, you will then need to contact your nearest Belgian embassy or consulate in your country. The embassy will help you determine whether you need a student visa and will guide you through the visa application.

For your student visa application, you may be asked to provide the following:

proof that you have a place at a recognized institution;

evidence of sufficient funds to cover your living costs, study, healthcare and repatriation costs (EUR 617 per month for the 2015-2016 study year);

proof that you don’t have a criminal record if you’re older than 21 years.

To prove your acceptance at a recognized institution, you can provide one of the following:

the official confirmation of registration for the program;

an attestation which indicates you have access to the anticipated studies;

proof of your registration for the entrance examinations.

You may also be asked to provide a letter outlining why you have chosen your particular course, why you want to study in Belgium and how this will benefit you. Additionally, you may also be asked to show some language proficiency in the language the course will be taught in.

Within eight days of your arrival to Belgium, you must visit your local municipal administration offices/town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) to request your residence permit and be registered on the foreigner's population register.

For a long stay study visa, it is recommended that you make an appointment at the embassy at least two months before your departure. For a short stay visa, make an appointment at least 3 weeks before your departure.

The length of the student visa depends on the course length. You can apply to renew your residence permit yearly, approximately 30 to 45 days before its expiry date.

You should apply for your student visa at the Belgium embassy or consulate in your home country.

If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you don’t need a visa to study in Belgium. However, you should be enrolled at a recognized university or institution of higher education as their main occupation in Belgium, have sufficient funds to cover expenses while studying in Belgium, and have adequate health insurance coverage.

If you are a national from a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you will most likely need to apply for one in order to enroll as a student of higher education there for a period of longer than three months. Students from some countries (such as the US) are not required to obtain a visa for Belgium if their stay is no longer than 90 days.

Before you can apply to get a Belgian student visa, you will generally need to be accepted into a course or study program by a recognized Belgian university or education institution.

Students from the People’s Republic of China must obtain an academic evaluation certificate issued by the Academic Assessment Centre (APS) before being authorized to enroll in a higher education institution in Belgium. This APS certificate is required to obtain a student visa for Belgium. The examination consists of a technical assessment of your diploma and an interview.

Your visa application can be rejected if you have previous criminal history or if you have been deported from the EU. Another reason for rejection is if your documents proving that you will be student are missing or not complete.

If you’re a foreign student enrolled at a Belgian educational institution and have a valid residence permit you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time, as long as it does not interfere with your studies. You will need to get a written fixed-term contract from your employer, which is known as a ‘student employment contract’, and a type C work permit. Otherwise, you can work during official university holidays without the need for a Belgian work permit.

Belgium

Tier 4 (General) Student Visa has been replaced with the so-called “Student Route”. The Student Route is the UK’s new Student Visa, which will be available to EEA nationals as well, who, before Brexit, did not need a visa to study in the UK.

Child Student Route (ages 4 - 17, which has replaced the Tier 4 Child Student Visa)

£475 if you apply to extend or switch to a Student Visa from inside the UK.

To obtain a UK student visa, you will first need to be accepted onto a course. For most courses, you will also need to prove that you understand English to the required level.

The UK student visa application process differs slightly depending on the type of UK student visa you are applying for.

For your UK student visa application, you will need to provide the following:

proof that you can cover your course and living costs

proof of parental or guardian consent if you are under 18

Depending on your country of origin, you may also need to have a tuberculosis test.

When you arrive in the UK, you may need to register your UK student visa with the police. You should receive information about whether you need to register in your UK student visa sticker or letter from the UK Home Office. You will also need to apply for a Biometric residence permit if you are staying in the UK for longer than 6 months.

You can apply for a Student Visa up to 6 months before your courses start. UK student visa processing times vary according to where you are applying from but generally you will receive a decision within 3 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK, and within 8 weeks if you are applying within the UK.

The General student visa length depends on the duration of your course and you can apply to extend it if you wish to stay in the UK to work or pursue further studies. The Child student visa is valid for the length of the course, up to a maximum of 6 years, and can be extended. The length of the short-term student visa cannot exceed the length of your course and cannot be extended.

You can apply for a UK student visa at the UK visa application centre in your home country. You can find a list of UK visa application centres worldwide here: 

https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre

You can also apply for a UK student visa online through the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration Service website. You can start here: 

https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/country-nationality?p=student_out_uk

Anyone entering the country for studies must apply for a Student Visa if entering after January 1, 2021. This includes EU/EEA nationals who previously did not need a visa to enter the UK for their studies. You will need to reach 70 points on the Points Based System, which measures whether you meet the requirements to study in the UK. This includes:

Have you been accepted into an approved institution?

Do you have the financial resources to fund your stay in the UK?

Does your course meet the course requirements?

Those graduating from a British educational institution by and after Summer 2021 will be able to apply for the post-graduate visa, allowing them to work/look for work in the UK for up to 2 years.

The main reasons for student visa refusals are:

International students are allowed to work with studying in the UK, under certain conditions. The type of work that you can do will depend on what you are studying and if you will be working during the school term, or during breaks.

United Kingdom

There are different types of student visas, depending on how long you plan to study in France:

Visa de court séjour pour etudes (‘Schengen’ short-stay student visa)

 - If your studies will last less than three months, then you should apply for the so-called Schengen student visa. It is issued free of charge and cannot be renewed. 41 countries may not need a visa for a stay of less than three months.

Etudient concours (visa for sitting entrance exams)

 - On this visa, you can come to France to take an entrance exam at an institute of higher education. If you pass, then you can apply directly to your local prefecture (French local authority/administrative office) in France for a one-year, renewable, residence permit.

Visa de long séjour temporaire pour etudes (temporary long-stay visa)

 - This visa allows you to study in France for between three and six months without the need for a residence permit. It is non-renewable.

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