 - 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.

Visa Requirements

 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

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

Student Visa (for studies that are longer than three months)

If your course is three months or less, you don’t need a student visa, just a visitor visa.

Application fees vary depending on your country of origin and can be around $250.

You can check the costs of a New Zealand student visa here:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/policy-and-law/how-the-immigration-system-operates/visa-application-process/how-much-visa-applications-cost-and-when-to-pay

For your visa application, you will need:

Acceptance letter from an approved education provider in New Zealand.

Evidence of sufficient funds - You will need to show that you have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees (this can include evidence of loan coverage, scholarship or other funds) and proof of funds to cover your living costs while you study in New Zealand (via a sponsor, a loan, a scholarship, government support or sufficient bank balance). You need to prove you have at least NZD$15,000 (~US$10,870) for each year if your course is longer than nine months.

Proof of onward travel - This can be evidence of already paid-for onward tickets, proof of further funds, or agreement from a sponsor to pay for onward travel. The point is to show that you intend and can afford, to leave the country once you complete your studies.

Medical certificates - If you are planning to study in New Zealand for more than 12 months you will need to provide a general medical certificate, a chest x-ray certificate and possibly undertake a tuberculosis screening.

If you are under 18 you will also need to provide proof of arranged accommodation, and if you are 17 or older, a police certificate of “good character”.

A passport valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.

Proof that you have paid the visa application fee.

You should apply at least six weeks before you plan to travel to New Zealand. Student visas applied for online usually take 20 days to process, while student visas applied for via the paper form take 25 days to process.

Your Student Visa is normally for the same length of time as the study you’ve paid for, and its duration can be up to 4 years.

To make an application for a New Zealand student visa, you can apply online or in person before traveling.

To apply in person within your home country, you will need to contact your local New Zealand consulate or embassy to get an application form and/or appointment. Alternatively, you can apply online by visiting the official website 

A student visa is required for all people coming to New Zealand to study for more than three months. The study must be the main purpose of your visit. If your course is up to 3 months, you may be able to study on a visitor visa or work visa.

You don't need a student visa to study full time if:

you have a permanent residence visa or a resident return visa for Australia — without conditions.

Some of the reasons why a New Zealand student visa may be rejected are:

If you have a record of imprisonment in the last 10 years and or been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment.

If you have a record of deportation, and or if you are a subject of a period of prohibition to enter into New Zealand.

If there is a misrepresentation of the information you have provided, on which the immigration officer believes that the information declared in your application is not genuine.

If you submitted an application that is not completed

If the health and character requirements are not met

If you are unable to demonstrate to cover the tuition fee cost, living and travel cost in New Zealand

If there is no clear pathway for the course you intend to study in New Zealand

If the immigration officer sees that you are not a genuine student from the documents and information you have provided, and as after the telephonic interview, you can’t even answered some information regarding the course information, institution’s information, among others

If the funds are not legit, or it cannot be verified

International full-time students with a student visa are legally allowed to work in New Zealand for up to 20 hours per week during term time, and may work full-time during all scheduled holiday periods such as Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. The specifics depend on your visa conditions. Work experience required in your studies doesn’t count towards the 20-hour limit. International students can’t be self-employed.

Masters by research and Ph.D. students can work as many hours as they wish.

New Zealand

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.

Visa de long séjour etudes (long-stay visa)

 - If you want to study for longer than six months, then you need to apply for the long term student visa in France. From 2013, this type of study visa now lasts for the duration of your course in France. Long-stay visas act as residence permits and are called VLT-TS.

 - If you have a Master’s degree or higher and want to come to France to take part in research or teach at the university level, then the institution can bring you over on an extended stay research scholar visa VLS-TS.

Student visa fees range greatly, depending on the type of visa and the country where you come from. For students from the Schengen area, costs vary from 50 to 99 EUR. The short-term Shengen student visa is free of charge.

In order to apply for your visa, you will need the following:

An official acceptance letter onto an accredited program at a French institution. This should be on officially headed paper, stating your full details, details of the French institution, and specifying the start and end dates of the academic program.

Proof that you have sufficient funds (currently EUR 615 per month), for example, bank statement, guarantor’s letter, or notice of a grant or funding from an official source.

Proof of return ticket home. Often this is in the form of the actual ticket or reservation showing the date of departure, but can be a handwritten statement of intent, including intended departure dates.

Proof of medical insurance (minimum cover EUR 30,000).

Proof of accommodation. Can be shown in the form of student housing confirmation or a certificate of board and lodging or ‘attestation d’accueil’ (if you’re living with friends or relatives).

Proof of proficiency in French, if you are studying a French-language course.

There is a charge for the Visa application and you must also have a passport that is valid for a period of three months past your expiration date of the requested party. You must complete an application that you sign and must submit three photographs with the application.

It can take up to two months for a Visa application to be approved, so you should submit all of the necessary information as quickly as possible before you plan to leave. ‘Schengen’ short-stay student visa lasts for 90 days, a temporary long-stay visa for three to six months, and a long-stay visa for the duration of your course: three years for bachelors, two years for a Master's, and four years for a Ph.D.

Some countries require you to register first with CampusFrance, the French national agency for higher education, and international students, in order to apply for admission and get a student visa through the CEF procedure. Otherwise, you should get your visa at the French embassy/consulate in your home country.

If you are an EU national, or national from the EEA, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you do not require a French student visa.

If you are a national from anywhere else in the world, you will need to obtain a student visa for France. You need to have secured a place on a course at a French educational institution before applying for a visa.

When completing your application for a France Visa it is essential that you complete the application in its entirety. You shouldn’t leave anything blank as this can greatly delay the application process. You also need to make sure that you have all of the documents that are needed and submit them with the application.

As an international student with a study visa in France, you can work up to 964 hours in a single year (about 60 percent of full-time employment for a year) – while you are on the course, and as long as you have a valid residence permit.

France

Malaysia

A processing fee of S$30 is required for every application submitted to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application or if the application is withdrawn after submission.

A fee of S$60 is payable when the successful applicant completes the formality at the issuance of the Student's Pass at ICA.

The fees are country-dependent and may be subject to change.

Before submitting an application for Student Pass through SOLAR, the institute where you have been offered admission must register you through the registration system. Once the institute has registered you with SOLAR, you have to submit eForm 16. You must have the following details before logging into your SOLAR account:

A registration notification from SOLAR with your login username and password provided by IHL

Travel documents and passport details, including passport number and its validity

One recent passport-sized color photograph

Once you submit the eForm 16, you then have to take a printout copy of the form to submit to the Student Pass unit - Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It is one of the important formalities to be completed for issuance of the Singapore Student Pass.

You must assure the immigration department that you will remain in Singapore with a valid Student Pass at all times.

Documents required for Singapore student visa:

Your valid passport. You have to submit a copy of particular pages of the passport

You must carry the departure/arrival card granted on entry into Singapore. If you have been residing in Singapore on other long-term passes, you have to bring along that pass as well;

One recent color passport-sized photograph (taken on white background);

The printout of eForm 16 submitted through SOLAR (duly signed by the applicant);

If your documents are in the native language, you must get an official English translation of the documents.

A copy of the in-principle approval letter; and

A medical report in the prescribed format (available on ICA’s website).

When you submit the application, make sure the laboratory reports are not more than three months from the issue date. In case you fail to fulfill the medical requirement, you will not be granted the Student Pass.

Generally, the Singapore student visa takes about four weeks to process. However, some applications may take longer if the immigration department requires some additional documents or information from you. In such situations, you will be notified through the SOLAR system.

You must submit new applications for Student Pass at least one month before your course starts and not for more than two months.

The processing time is generally between 2 to 4 months for cases in which interviews are required.

To apply for the Student Pass, you must submit your application on the official registration system -- Student’s Pass On-Line Application & Registration (SOLAR) system.

All international students must have a Student Pass to pursue higher studies in Singapore. To get your Singapore Student Pass, you must first be offered admission for a full-time program in the Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore.

You are eligible for a Student Pass only if you have been accepted into a full-time program. If you want to take up part-time courses or evening classes, you will not be eligible for the Student Pass.

Your visa application may be rejected if you do not follow a full-time course at a recognized educational institution, if you do not have adequate educational credentials, if your forms are not properly filled out or if the supporting documents are not correct.

Foreign students who do not work for more than 16 hours per week during their studies are exempted to apply for a work permit. However, it is recommended to check the work opportunities granted by your institution.

International students do not have to apply for a work permit if they want to work in Singapore during their vacations.

Permission to work may also depend on the institution where you are studying.

You can find a list of approved institutions here: 

https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-pass-exemption-for-foreign-students

Singapore

 Short-stay visa or travel visa valid for one or more entries and for a period not exceeding 90 days.

 Long-stay visa valid for more than 90 days.

The fee for a student visa to Italy is typically around 50-70 USD. The fee may be subject to change.

After you have received the letter of acceptance or letter of admission for your intended course of study, you can check your eligibility for obtaining an Italian student visa and then go ahead with the visa application procedure. You will need to present the following documentation:

Entry visa application form; you can find it at


http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/Moduli/it/Formulario Visto Nazionale.pdf

Travel document valid for at least three months after visa;

Enrollment or pre-enrollment in a university course;

Proof that you have accommodation in Italy;

Proof that you have financial support (at least € 448,07 per month for the academic year, a total of € 5824,91 per year);

Adequate insurance coverage for medical treatment and hospitalization;

Proof of the availability of the financial means needed for repatriation;

Proof of adequate knowledge of Italian or English according to the language of the program;

If the student is a minor, they must have the consent of expatriation signed by each of the parental authorities, or in their absence, by the legal guardian.

You should apply for an Italian student visa at least three months before your planned arrival to Italy. The processing of your visa application may take between 1–3 weeks. You should schedule your visa interview around four to six weeks in advance.

The length of the student visa depends on the length of your course.

You need to apply for your student visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country. You will also need to have an interview at the embassy or consulate.

EU/EEA students can enter Italy with a valid passport or an ID card and are entitled to complete a degree in Italy without a visa for as long as they wish. These students must, however, register with the Questura (police station) within 8 days from their arrival, in order to obtain a residence permit.

Non-EU students are required to obtain a student visa prior to entering Italy. For study more than 90 days you will then need to apply for a residency card (permesso di soggiorno) at the local post office within the first 8 days of arrival in Italy. This along with your visa will allow you to stay in Italy for the duration of your studies. There is a fee associated with the residency card.

Citizens of some non-EU countries do not require a visa to stay and study in Italy for a period of up to 90 days.

You can find an overview of these countries here: 

https://www.immigrationworld.com/italy/how-to-apply-for-italy-student-visa/

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.

If you are from the EU, you are allowed to work in Italy without the need for a work permit. Working hours should not exceed 20 hours a week during the semester. You can only work full time during the holidays between semesters.

International students from outside the EU will need to apply for a work permit at a local immigration office in Italy. First, you need to have a signed employment contract and show a copy at the immigration office.

Italy

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.

80,000+ study abroad degrees, one perfect for you.

Discover programs by category 🧭

Your journey at a glance 👇

Find a program

Get a scholarship

Talk to universities

Stay up to date

Scholarships for international students 💰

Study Abroad Scholarship Directory 2025

Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship 2025

Study a Bachelor’s in the USA Scholarship 2025

Go Global MBA Scholarship 2025

Explore study abroad countries ✈️

Study Abroad in the United States: A Guide for International Students

Study in the UK: Overview for International Students

Study in Germany: A Guide for International Students

Study in France: A Guide For International Students

Study abroad news 🌍

Keystone Awards 2025: Nominate a Student You Admire!

How a Trump Re-Election Could Reshape Life for International Students

Netherlands Faces Backlash Over Higher Education Budget Cuts

3-Year Bachelor's Degree: An Emerging Trend in the US

Student guides and tips 💡

How to Study Abroad: The Ultimate Guide for International Students in 2025

Top 10 Places in the World to Study Abroad - 2025

The Cheapest Countries to Study In Europe

Your Guide to Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, MBA and PhD