How to Get a Student Visa for USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and South Africa

Student Visa Eligibility Criteria UK

A UK student visa applicant must show that they have been accepted onto a course of study at one of the following.

• A publicly-funded institution of further or higher education (for example a university)
• A bonafide private education institution that maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance for students and offers courses which lead to qualifications recognised by the appropriate accreditation bodies.
• An independent fee-paying school outside the maintained sector.

Applicants for UK student visas must intend to follow either:

• A recognised full-time degree course.
• A weekday course at a single institution that involves at least 15 hours of organized daytime study a week.
• A full-time course of study at an independent fee-paying school.

Students must be able to meet the costs of their course and accommodation and the maintenance of themselves and any dependents without undertaking full-time employment or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds. The applicants should also intend to leave the country at the end of their studies.

Student Visa Eligibility Criteria USA

Before applying for an F-1 student visa, applicants must be accepted into a course of study at a recognized US educational institution and be able to provide documentation indicating their enrolment status.
It will also be necessary to provide other documentation including a valid passport, photograph, and an affidavit of financial support. Applicants must demonstrate adequate English language ability, and crucially, candidates must prove that they intend to return to their home country upon completion of their course and expiry of their US study visas.

This may be assisted through the inclusion of documentation which demonstrates ties to the home country, for example family ties through a marriage certificate, employment obligations through a contract or evidence of prior temporary trips to the USA.
In addition, candidates applying for an F1 visa must be able to demonstrate:

• Sufficient grasp of the English language to pursue the intended course, unless special language tuition arrangements have been made with the institution or the course of study is an English language programme.
• Possession of and/or access to sufficient funds to support themselves throughout the course.
• Documentation of acceptance as a student from a recognized US educational institution.

F-1 visas are normally granted for the duration of the course of study; however, candidates may remain in the country for up to 60 days after the course is completed.

Student Visa Eligibility Criteria Canada

Applications for student visas should be submitted as soon as possible once you have received an acceptance letter from the educational institution.
To submit a Canadian visa application of this kind you will need to satisfy the following criteria:

• You must be in possession of an acceptance letter from the school or educational institution which you will attend.
• You must provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to pay school fees and to reside in close proximity to the school.
• You must be able to demonstrate that it is your intention to return home when your studies are complete.
• You may be required to pass a medical exam.
• You will need to obtain a temporary resident visa if required.

Student Visa Eligibility Criteria Australia

Candidates who apply under the student visa category must be in good health and of good character and must not have any debts. Candidates must ensure that they fulfil the requirements of their course, including attendance and must only work in Australia where express permission is granted.

Australian study visas oblige the holder to remain with the sponsoring institution for a minimum of 12 months, or the entire course in circumstances where the course duration is less than 12 months. Applicants must also advise the educational institution of their address within seven days of arrival. Students must be able to support themselves and any dependents financially during their time in Australia and must have a sufficient level of proficiency in the English language to successfully complete their course.

Student Visa Eligibility Criteria South Africa

Studying in South Africa places few restrictions upon those obtaining a South Africa student visa and The Department of Home Affairs generally welcomes foreign students who choose to further their studies by migrating to South Africa.

Student visas require that a foreign national immigrating to South Africa in order to study must not prevent a South African citizen or permanent resident from studying by displacing them.
Candidates must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves throughout their period of study in South Africa including tuition fees and medical insurance.

visa applications for students must include:

• A letter from the educational institution which will act as Confirmation of Acceptance and which details accommodation arrangements for the candidate.
• Evidence of the applicants' ability to wholly support themselves financially.
• A valid return ticket.
• Medical insurance and a statement from the applicant's doctor.
• A valid passport with a minimum of thirty days upon completion of study.
• For applicants over 18 years of age police clearance is required for all previous countries in which they have resided for a year or more.
• For minors, a letter of consent from the parents will also be necessary.
  In addition, a range of documentation including the applicant's birth certificate and photographs will be required. A Global Visas migration consultant will be happy to discuss the requirements with you in detail.
• South Africa study visas are granted for a one-year period and can be extended as necessary in order to complete the relevant course. Much like working permits, permits to study are valid only for the original course for which they were obtained. Any change of institution or course will require a new permit.