Student Visa Guide | Affordable College Online

For U.K. study abroad, applicants must submit their passport details with a recent photograph. The application requires a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies form completed by the program provider and proof of English proficiency. Learners must present bank statements or a sponsor letter. Travelers must show $1,600 in funds per month for living expenses if studying in London. Studying in the U.K. outside of London requires $1,300 in funds per month for living expenses.

Italy offers two types of student visas. The visa type C remains valid for one or more entries for no more than 90 days. Type C visas function well as a short-stay or travel visa. Applicants who must stay longer than 90 days should apply for the visa type D. Application requirements include two blank passport pages, a program acceptance letter, proof of adequate finances, and travel plans.

Studying in Spain requires a student permit for programs under 90 days, a short-term student visa for 91-180-day programs, and a long-term student visa for programs over six months. The visas require a completed application form, passport, ID card, and program acceptance letter. Students must also carry health insurance.

France allows students 18 or older to study in the country. For programs under three months long, France provides a short-stay visa. Longer programs require a temporary or standard long-stay visa. A visa costs U.S. learners €50. France provides an online Visa Wizard to help applicants determine their required documents.

A standard German student visa suits learners wanting to study full-time at a German university. The country requires the German Student Applicant visa if the university requires an in-person admissions interview. The application requires two photocopies of the individual's U.S. passport, birth certificate, and recent passport-style photographs. Proof of financial means entails a €10,332 deposit confirmation at a German blocked bank account or another form of funds, like a scholarship letter.

Individuals aspiring to study in Ireland for over three months must apply for a student visa. Applicants must submit two color passport-style photos taken within the last six months, their passport, and copies of all previous passports. The student visa application requires private medical insurance. Ireland accepts applications beginning three months before the academic program's start date.

China requires learners studying under 180 days to apply for a short-term student visa. Learners staying over 180 days must apply for a long-term visa. Visa applicants submit an original passport, applicant form, and recent photo. Students cannot apply for a job within China on this type of visa. The application costs $140 to process.

An Australian student visa remains valid for five years. The Subclass 500 Student visa requires the learner to hold Overseas Student Health Cover. The visa allows learners to work up to 20 hours weekly and bring family members to Australia. The Australian government publishes a helpful required documents checklist.

Japan requires learners studying for longer than three months to acquire a student visa. The visa takes 2-3 months to process. Like most student visa applications, individuals must submit a color passport-style photo and proof of financial viability. The application also requires official academic transcripts.

Learners hoping to study in Costa Rica need a provisional visa. Applicants submit their birth certificate, a federal criminal background check certificate, and three color passport-style photographs. Students must provide proof of financial viability and a fax number to receive notifications about their visa's status.