Student visa guide for Indian students
Student visas compared
Key facts from each country guide, checked against official sources in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.
| Country | Visa or permit | Key facts | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa |
| United Kingdom visa guide | |
| Student visa (subclass 500) |
| Australia visa guide | |
| Study permit (with a temporary resident visa for Indian citizens) |
| Canada visa guide | |
| Long-stay 'D' study visa, followed by Stamp 2 student permission |
| Ireland visa guide | |
| National visa for study (D visa), followed by a residence permit for study purposes (Section 16b Residence Act) |
| Germany visa guide | |
| Fee Paying Student Visa |
| New Zealand visa guide | |
| Entry visa (MVV) and residence permit for study |
| Netherlands visa guide | |
| UAE student residence visa (university-sponsored) |
| Dubai (UAE) visa guide | |
| Student visa (national visa, type D) and long-stay authorisation for studies |
| Spain visa guide | |
| National (Type D) study visa, followed by a study residence permit (e-Residence card) |
| Malta visa guide | |
| Entry permit and temporary residence permit for students |
| Cyprus visa guide | |
| Temporary residence permit for studies (with a national D visa for entry) |
| Latvia visa guide | |
| Temporary residence permit for studies (Leidimas laikinai gyventi) |
| Lithuania visa guide |
The steps most countries share
The order is much the same everywhere. What changes is the name of each document and the amounts.
Step 1
Get an offer and accept it
Apply to a university or college that is allowed to enrol international students, accept the offer and pay any deposit it asks for.
Step 2
Receive the acceptance document
The university then issues the document the visa needs: a CAS in the UK, a CoE in Australia, a letter of acceptance in Canada, or an admission letter elsewhere.
Step 3
Arrange and show your funds
Prepare proof that you can pay tuition and living costs, in the form and for the period the country sets: bank statements, a loan sanction letter, a blocked account or a deposit.
Step 4
Complete health and identity checks
Many countries ask for a medical or TB test, health insurance and biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a visa centre.
Step 5
Apply and pay the fee
Apply online or at the embassy with every document, translated where needed, and pay the visa fee and any health charge.
Step 6
Wait for the decision
Processing times differ by country and season. Book flights only after the visa is approved.
Not sure what to collect? The document checklist generator builds your list for your country, level and funding.
Common reasons student visas are refused
- Funds not shown in the right form, or not held for the period the rules require
- A study plan that does not explain why this course, this country and this university fit your background and career
- Gaps in study or work with no explanation or proof
- Documents that contradict each other, or that are false; false documents can lead to a ban from that country
- English that is too weak for the course, or a test result the visa system does not accept
- A course that does not follow on sensibly from your previous studies, with no clear reason
Interview and credibility tips
- Know your course: its modules, length, fees and why it suits your earlier studies.
- Explain your choice of university and country in your own words, not a memorised script.
- Know where your money comes from and how much you have, and keep the papers with you.
- Be honest about gaps, refusals or low marks; explain them with proof.
- Talk about your plan after the course realistically, without promises you cannot back up.
- Make sure your SOP, forms and documents tell the same story.
Student visa questions
When should I apply for my student visa?
As soon as you have the acceptance document from your university and your funds are ready. Each country sets how early you can apply; for example, the UK allows you to apply up to six months before your course starts. Check the country guide for the exact rule.
Can a consultant guarantee my visa?
No. Visa decisions are made only by the immigration authorities of each country. A good application is complete, honest and consistent, but no one can promise the result.
Do I need an interview?
Some countries or universities hold a short credibility interview to check that you are a genuine student. Be ready to explain your course, your university choice, your costs and your plans after study, in your own words.
What happens if my visa is refused?
Read the refusal letter carefully: it lists the reasons. You can usually apply again with stronger documents, and some countries allow a review or appeal. Talk to a counsellor before you reapply.
Official sources
The official visa pages behind each country guide.
United Kingdom
Australia
Canada
Ireland
Germany
New Zealand
Netherlands
Dubai (UAE)
Spain
Malta
Cyprus
- Civil Registry and Migration Department: admission of third-country students
- Civil Registry and Migration Department: stay after studies to seek work or start a business
- Civil Registry and Migration Department: employment of students (hours)
- Ministry of Interior: fees and new application procedure for students (Law 7(I)/2019)
Latvia
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