Complete Checklist of Documents and Eligibility Criteria for Study Visas

Planning to study abroad is an exciting journey, but navigating student visa requirements can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about student visa eligibility, required documents, application processes, and tips for approval in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.

Whether you're heading for an undergraduate degree, postgraduate studies, or a vocational course, this guide ensures you have the latest, most accurate information so you can focus on your education, not the paperwork.

📈 Quick ️Comparison

Category	Subclass 500	Study Permit	Stamp 2	Student Visa	Student Route	F-1 Visa
Visa Fee	AUD $710	CAD $150 + $85 biometrics	€60 – €100	NZD $330	£490 + £470 IHS	$185 + $350 SEVIS
Processing Time	1–4 months	3–12 weeks	4–8 weeks	20–60 days	3–8 weeks	2–6 weeks
Financial Proof	AUD $21,041/year	CAD $10,000/year	€7,000 – €10,000/year	NZD $15,000 – $20,000/year	£1,023 – £1,334/month	1st year tuition + living costs
English Test (IELTS)	6.0 (no band <5.5)	6.0 (no band <5.5)	5.5–6.5	5.5–6.5	6.0 (no band <5.5)	6.0–7.0
Work Rights (During Study)	48 hrs/fortnight	20 hrs/week	20 hrs/week	20 hrs/week	20 hrs/week	On-campus: 20 hrs/week
Post-Study Work Visa	2–4 years (Subclass 485)	Up to 3 years (PGWP)	12–24 months (Stamp 1G)	Up to 3 years (Open Work Visa)	2–3 years (Graduate Route)	1–3 years (OPT/STEM OPT)
Health Insurance	OSHC (mandatory)	Varies by province)	Mandatory	Mandatory	IHS (NHS access)	University-specific
Visa Interview	Rare	Possible	Rare	Uncommon	Possible	Mandatory

Key Takeaways:

• USA & UK have the highest visa fees (including health surcharges).
• Australia & NZ offer the longest post-study work options (up to 4 years).
• Canada & Ireland allow part-time work (20 hrs/week) during studies.
• USA is the only country with a mandatory visa interview.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Enrollment in a CRICOS-registered course (full-time study).
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement – Prove you intend to study, not immigrate.
• English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge).
• Health insurance (OSHC) – Mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover.
• No criminal record (police clearance may be required).

📄 Required Documents

• Valid passport (6+ months validity).
• Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from an Australian institution.
• Proof of financial capacity (bank statements, loans, or sponsor letters).
• English test results (IELTS 6.0+ or equivalent).
• GTE statement (explaining study intentions).
• Health insurance (OSHC) proof.
• Academic transcripts and certificates.
• Passport-sized photographs.
• Visa application fee receipt (AUD $710).

📝 Application Process

• Receive CoE from your Australian institution.
• Create an ImmiAccount on the Australian Home Affairs website.
• Upload documents and complete the online application.
• Pay the visa fee (AUD $710).
• Attend biometrics/health check if required.
• Wait for approval (processing time: 1–4 months).

💳 Visa Fees & Processing Time

• Fee: AUD $710
• Processing time: 1–4 months (varies by country).

📚 English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
• TOEFL iBT: 64
• PTE: 50

💰 Financial Requirements

• Tuition fees + living costs (AUD $21,041/year).
• Bank statements or loan approval letters must cover at least one year.

🩺 Medical & Health Insurance

• OSHC is mandatory (approx. AUD $500 – $600/year).

💼 Work Rights While Studying

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight during studies.
• Unlimited hours during holidays.

🎓 Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) Options

• Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485):
• Graduate Work Stream: 18 months (for skilled occupations).
• Post-Study Work Stream: 2–4 years (depending on qualification).

👤 Visa Interview (If Applicable)

• Rare, but possible for high-risk applicants.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a DLI (Designated Learning Institution).
• Proof of financial support (tuition + CAD $10,000/year living expenses).
• No criminal record (police clearance).
• Medical exam (if staying over 6 months).
• English/French proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, TEF).

📄 Required Documents

• Valid passport.
• Letter of Acceptance (LOA).
• Proof of funds (bank statements, scholarships, or sponsor letters).
• English/French test results (IELTS 6.0+ or equivalent).
• Statement of Purpose (SOP).
• Police clearance certificate.
• Medical exam (if required).
• Biometrics receipt (CAD $85).
• Visa fee payment receipt (CAD $150).

📝 Application Process

• Get LOA from a Canadian institution.
• Apply online via IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
• Submit biometrics (if required).
• Undergo medical exam (if needed).
• Wait for approval (processing time: 3–12 weeks).

💳 Visa Fees & Processing Time

• Fee: CAD $150 (study permit) + CAD $85 (biometrics).
• Processing time: 3–12 weeks.

📚 English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 (no band below 5.5).
• TOEFL iBT: 80.

💰 Financial Requirements

• Tuition + CAD $10,000/year living expenses.

🩺 Medical & Health Insurance

• Required for stays over 6 months (varies by province).

💼 Work Rights While Studying

• Up to 20 hours/week during studies.
• Full-time during breaks.

🎓 Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) Options

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
• Up to 3 years (depending on program length).

👤 Visa Interview (If Applicable)

• Possible for some applicants.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Accepted into an accredited Irish institution (must be on the ILEP list).
• Proof of full-time enrollment (minimum 15 hours/week).
• Sufficient financial means (€7,000 – €10,000 per year).
• Medical insurance (private or public).
• English proficiency (if non-English speaking country).
• No criminal record (police clearance may be required).

📄 Required Documents

• Valid passport (12+ months validity).
• Letter of Acceptance from an Irish institution.
• Proof of tuition fee payment (or scholarship).
• Bank statements (showing €7,000 – €10,000).
• Medical insurance coverage.
• English test results (if required).
• Proof of accommodation in Ireland.
• Visa application fee receipt (€60 for single entry, €100 for multi-entry).

📝 Application Process

• Receive acceptance from an Irish institution.
• Apply online via the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
• Submit documents to the nearest Irish embassy/consulate.
• Attend biometrics appointment (if required).
• Wait for approval (processing time: 4–8 weeks).

💳 Visa Fees & Processing Time

• Fee: €60 (single entry) / €100 (multi-entry).
• Processing time: 4–8 weeks.

📚 English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 5.5–6.5 (depends on institution).
• TOEFL iBT: 70–90.

💰 Financial Requirements

• Minimum €7,000 per year (must be in bank for at least 6 months).

🩺 Medical & Health Insurance

• Mandatory (can be arranged through Irish providers).

💼 Work Rights While Studying

• 20 hours/week during term.
• 40 hours/week during holidays.

🎓 Post-Study Work Visa (Stamp 1G)

• Graduate Scheme:
• Bachelor’s/Master’s graduates: 12 months.
• PhD graduates: 24 months.

👤 Visa Interview (If Applicable)

• Rare, but possible for high-risk cases.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Offer of place from a NZQA-approved institution.
• Proof of funds (NZD $15,000 – $20,000 per year).
• Health & character requirements (medical exam & police clearance).
• Genuine intention to study (may require an SOP)..

📄 Required Documents (Checklist)

• Valid passport.
• Offer of Place from a NZ institution.
• Proof of funds (bank statements or sponsor letters).
• Medical & police certificates (if staying over 2 years).
• English test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE).
• Visa fee payment (NZD $330).

📝 Application Process

• Get admission from a NZ institution.
• Apply online via Immigration New Zealand.
• Submit biometrics & medicals (if required).
• Wait for approval (processing time: 20–60 days).

💳 Visa Fees & Processing Time

• Fee: NZD $330.
• Processing time: 20–60 days.

📚 English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 5.5–6.5 (depends on course).
• TOEFL iBT: 46–79.

💰 Financial Requirements

• NZD $15,000 – $20,000 per year (living costs).

🩺 Medical & Health Insurance

• Mandatory for international students.

💼 Work Rights While Studying

• 20 hours/week during term.
• Full-time during holidays.

🎓 Post-Study Work Visa (Open Work Visa)

• Bachelor’s/Master’s: Up to 3 years.
• PhD: Up to 4 years.

👤 Visa Interview (If Applicable)

• Uncommon, but possible.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a UK institution.
• Proof of funds (£1,334/month for London, £1,023/month outside London).
• English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE).
• TB test (if from a high-risk country).

📄 Required Documents (Checklist)

• Valid passport.
• CAS document from UK university.
• Proof of funds (28 days of bank statements).
• English test results (IELTS 6.0+).
• TB test results (if applicable).
• Visa fee payment (£490).
• IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) payment (£470/year).

📝 Application Process

• Receive CAS from UK university.
• Apply online via UK Visas and Immigration.
• Pay visa fee & IHS.
• Submit biometrics
• Wait for approval (processing time: 3–8 weeks).

💳 Visa Fees & Processing Time

• Fee: £490.
• IHS: £470/year.
• Processing time: 3–8 weeks.

📚English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 (no band below 5.5).
• TOEFL iBT: 72.

💰Financial Requirements

• £1,334/month (London) / £1,023/month (outside London).

🩺 Medical & Health Insurance

• IHS covers NHS access.

💼 Work Rights While Studying

• 20 hours/week during term.
• Full-time during holidays.

🎓 Post-Study Work Visa (Graduate Route)

• Bachelor’s/Master’s: 2 years.
• PhD: 3 years.

👤 Visa Interview (If Applicable)

• Possible for some applicants.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• I-20 form from a SEVP-approved US institution.
• Proof of financial support (1st year tuition + living costs).
• Non-immigrant intent (must show ties to home country).
• English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL).

📄 Required Documents (Checklist)

• Valid passport.
• Form I-20 from US university.
• DS-160 confirmation page.
• SEVIS fee payment receipt ($350).
• Visa fee payment ($185).
• Financial proof (bank statements, sponsor letters).
• Academic transcripts.
• Visa interview appointment letter.

📝 Application Process

• Get I-20 from US university.
• Pay SEVIS fee ($350).
• Complete DS-160 form.
• Schedule visa interview.
• Attend interview at US embassy.
• Wait for approval (processing time: 2–6 weeks).

💳 Visa Fees & Processing Time

• SEVIS fee: $350.
• Visa fee: $185..
• Processing time: 2–6 weeks.

📚 English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.0–7.0 (depends on university).
• TOEFL iBT: 80–100.

💰 Financial Requirements

• Must cover 1st year tuition + living costs ($20,000 – $60,000).

🩺 Medical & Health Insurance

• Mandatory (varies by university).

💼 Work Rights While Studying

• On-campus: Up to 20 hours/week.
• Off-campus (CPT/OPT): After 1 year.

🎓 Post-Study Work Visa (OPT/STEM OPT)

• OPT: 12 months.
• STEM OPT Extension: Additional 24 months.

👤 Visa Interview (Mandatory)

• Common questions:
• Why this university?
• How will you fund your studies?
• Do you plan to return home?

Common Reasons for Visa Refusal & How to Avoid Them

❌ Insufficient funds – Show clear financial proof.

❌ Weak SOP/Interview answers – Be confident & consistent.

❌ Incorrect documents – Double-check before submitting.

❌ Past visa rejections – Address previous issues clearly.

❌ Low English scores – Retake tests if needed.

Final Checklist Before Applying

✅ Apply 3–6 months in advance.

✅ Keep all documents organized.

✅ Check official immigration websites for updates.

✅ Prepare for interviews (if required).

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Disclaimer: The figures, content, and information provided here are estimates based on data available as of May 2025. Please note that prices, economic conditions, and other details may change over time. We recommend using this information as a general guide only and encourage you to verify the latest details independently before making any final decisions.