Some people who will continue their studies abroad definitely need good preparation. However, many still feel 100% ready as long as they have received a Letter of Acceptance, funding/scholarship and accommodation guarantee. Even though there is still one step that needs to be considered carefully: applying for a study visa. If this step fails, you will have to repeat the application process from the beginning and may have to pay another fee.
You need to know a few things about a study abroad visa.
What is a Study Visa
As the name suggests, a Study visa is a visa that a person needs when going to study (college or school) abroad. The function is the same as a regular visa, namely a residence permit in a country that is not the country of origin. However, it only applies to studying while running a college or school within a certain period. Without this visa, you cannot complete your studies in the destination country, even though you have been officially accepted at the university.
This visa is specifically for study, so you are not allowed to carry out other activities such as working, opening a business or carrying out official political activities as long as you use this Visa. Although indeed in some countries, for example in the Netherlands, you are still allowed to do part-time work, with minimal working hours.
Because it is only valid during the study period (for example, four or two years of study), after your studies are completed, you must also go home immediately. You cannot continue to live there on a study visa.
If you want to continue to work or travel, you must renew your residence permit by making a work visa or visit visa. Each country has its policy for study visas, so make sure you check first at the embassy/consultant of your destination country what is the name or type of study visa there. In Australia, study visas are divided into several classes according to the course you will be following.
Every Country Has Different Requirements
The requirements or procedures for making a Study visa in each country may vary, although they are generally similar. Some countries require you to have a certificate of being free from certain diseases, and some need you to attach a certificate of relationship with the person who pays for your tuition if you do not use a scholarship. For that, you must ask in detail about the requirements for a Study visa for the country you are going to.
Knowing the Process and Manufacturing Costs
Generally, the registration process can be done online. You will only get a call to come to do the actual document submission process and interview. Like a Visit Visa, applying for a Study visa is also subject to a fee you must pay off when you start the application process. The amount of the payment itself is different in each country. As for the manufacturing process, it usually takes one to three weeks, depending on the embassy or consulate.
Anticipating Failure to Make a Study visa
The difficulty in making a Study visa is relatively relative. The process should run smoothly if you have appropriately fulfilled all the document requirements and completed the costs.
However, usually many have problems and even fail because the submission time is tight, and it turned out that there were documents that were wrong or lacking, and in the end, they didn't have time to be fixed. For that, register as early as possible, so you have enough time if there are problems with document requirements.
In addition, you also need to prepare yourself for the interview process. Show that you are ready to study and live in the country by mastering the material or knowledge about the university and study program you choose. Make it clear that you are not going there to study, not because you want to stay and travel.
After you know about a study visa, it would be nice if you know how to get your study visa fully approved, you can see these five steps.
1. Check Your Language Certificate
You need a language certificate to apply for a study abroad visa.
Depending on the language of your course, your country of destination may require you to attach a certificate of results from a language test such as IELTS or GDS to apply for a Visa. But keep in mind that some language test certificates have a validity period. For example, TOEFL and TCF certificates are only valid for two years. When submitting, your test results must still be valid. Otherwise, you will need to retake the test.
Some language tests have different types, so you must take the proper language test. For example, IELTS has two types of tests: Academic and General. For college matters, you must take IELTS Academic. It's different from the TOEFL, which consists of 4 types: IBT, CBT, PBT and ITP. You can use the certificate of the results of these four types of tests for college purposes, but the ITP type is usually not recognized internationally.
So you can only take this test if your destination university is willing to accept a TOEFL ITP certificate because currently, the TOEFL ITP is not widely used by universities abroad.
2. Check Photo and Document Requirements
Read and follow all Visa photo and document requirements to the best of your ability. If your photo does not comply with regulations (e.g. wrong size/background colour) or your document is incomplete, your application may be rejected, and you will have to start over from the beginning.
You can visit studios with experience making Visa photos to avoid photo problems.
To help complete the documents, you can make a file checklist that includes information on costs, terms and the period needed to obtain these documents. These documents include,
• Valid passport (minimum six months)
• KTP/Family Card/birth certificate
• Visa application form
• Letter of Acceptance from the destination university
• Passport photo
• Proof of financial guarantees such as scholarships/study sponsors, or if using personal fees, attach proof of the ability of funds to finance the study
• Visa payment proof
• Last education certificate
• The results of the English test score or the language of the country of interest
3. Check Blank Pages In the Passport
Make sure there are 4-6 blank pages in your passport. Indeed, the study visa is affixed to only 1 page, but many countries require at least two blank sheets facing each other in the passport for the Visa application process. If there is no blank sheet at the time of submission, you will be asked to renew your passport. This, of course, will delay your Visa process.
In addition, also check the validity period of your passport. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months from the date you entered the country for Visa approval.
4. Schedule as early as possible to apply for a study visa
Study visas may take several weeks to process. Therefore, schedule a Visa application as soon as possible at the embassy/consulate of your destination country. If the application time is too close to the departure date, there is a possibility that your Visa has not been processed on the D day.
When scheduling, confirm the location of the Visa application.
This needs to be considered because some embassies have delegated Visa processing to other agencies, such as a UK study visa which can only be submitted at VFS Global.
5. Translate and Photocopy All Documents
All documents in Indonesian that are part of the Visa requirements need to be translated into English by a sworn translator. Some embassies/consulates have a list of sworn translators you can contact to translate your documents. However, if the translators on the list are busy, you can also look for other certified translator services on the Translator Association website.
This step needs to be done well in advance of your Visa application schedule, so there is time for revision if there is a translation error. Some embassies/consulates will ask for originals and photocopies for Visa requirements. In addition to making sure the photocopies are clear, you also have to check whether the photocopies need to be legalized by specific agencies. When submitting, ask for confirmation from the officer receiving the file that the photocopies are acceptable.
As a precaution, you should keep a copy of all Visa application files because there is a possibility that you will need the information contained there.
So, prepare your study abroad plan carefully, and hopefully, the tips above are helpful for those of you who want to get your study visa approved immediately. Finding it difficult to apply for a study visa? Don't worry, IstudentPlus can also help you apply for a study visa until you get it. So what are you waiting for, contact us, and everything will be easy.
