Student Visa Application Procedure for France

 

Students from outside Europe (that is, students from countries other than the 28 countries of the European Economic Zone, plus Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, San Marino, and the Vatican) must obtain a long-term visa marked étudiant if they intend to study in France for more than 6 months.

 

After the first year of study, visas are automatically renewed, provided the student holding the visa is able to produce the required documentation.

 

3 very important pieces of advice:

 

1. A tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa in France or in any other country of the European Union.

2. If you plan to complete two programs in succession (such as a program in French as a foreign language, followed by an academic program), obtain admission to both programs before applying for your visa so that your visa will be valid for the duration of your period of study. French visas can not be extended in France.

3. International students of all nationalities (except European Union nationals) residing in France for more than 3 months must obtain a student residency permit (which is distinct from a visa), within two months of their arrival in France.

 

Complying with legal requirements once in France

 

As soon as you arrive in France, you’ll want to take two important steps to comply with French immigration regulations. The sooner you get these formalities out of the way, the smoother and more pleasant your stay will be.

• Report to your new university or school and register for classes
• Apply for a student residency permit (if you will be staying for longer than 3 months)

 

Pay close attention to the documents that you will have to present. Originals are often required.

 

Report to your new institution and register for classes

All students must report and register each year. The procedure is the same in all universities. In non-university institutions of higher education it differs from institution to institution.

 

Registration at the universities has two parts: administrative registration and registration for classes.

 

Other institutions of higher education set their own registration procedures and typically inform students of those procedures before their departure for France.

 

Your residency permit

The second thing you’ll have to do once you arrive is apply for your residency permit. All international students must obtain such a permit, even those who are entitled to reside in France without a visa.

 

International students who intend to study in France for more than 3 months must visit the préfecture (or government center) for their area to obtain a temporary residency permit showing their student status. The temporary residency permit is valid until the expiration date of the applicant’s passport or until the date of completion of the applicant’s academic program, whichever comes first. The permit must be renewed annually.

 

You will need the residency permit in order to obtain housing assistance

 

 

Student Visa Application Procedure for Germany

 

If you wish to take up studies in Germany, you will need a visa for entry (residence permit in the form of a visa). A visa is absolutely necessary under the immigration laws there; the only exceptions are for applicants from European Union countries and from states with which special agreements have been made: Honduras, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the USA.

 

It is not permissible to enter the country on a tourist visa for the purpose of studying here. Those wishing to enter the country to study may apply for a visa for purposes of study, or for a study applicant visa.

 

The visa must be issued before you can enter the country; you should therefore apply for it in good time. The responsible body is the German Embassy or Consulate General in your country, which can also provide you with further information.

 

The visa for purposes of study will be issued if you have already been accepted to study in Germany. The study applicant visa (Studienbewerber-Visum) permits you to enter the country before the admission decision by the university or college, in order to obtain information on the spot. The university applicant visa is particularly important for applicants to the Hochschule für Musik and Theater (College of Music and Drama), so that you can enter the country for the entrance examination. And this type of visa may also be useful to applicants who wish to improve their language skills in Germany before starting their studies. The study applicant visa is limited to three months, but it can be converted to a visa for study purposes if you receive your admission from the university or college during this period.

 

For both types of visas it is necessary to hold a valid passport, to provide proof of financial means for your period of study in Germany, and to have either university admission (visa for purposes of study) or at least a confirmation of your status as an applicant (study applicant visa).

 

Those who intend to study and enter the country on a study applicant visa should also note that they must provide evidence of a university or college place in Germany within the prescribed period of three months, in order to obtain a residence permit for study purposes.

 

Applying for Visas for Academic Studies or Language Courses in Germany

 

In order to receive your visa in good time, please note the following three points:

 

• Submit your application with all accompanying documents at least eight weeks before your planned trip to Germany;
• Fill in the application form and bring it with the complete set of documents to the Embassy;
• Should you have any queries, please contact the Cultural Section at the Embassy in Singapore, which is responsible for your area.

 

You may be issued with one of three types of visa:

 

• student applicant visa (if you do not yet have a certificate of admission to higher education or of confirmation of application)
• student visa (if you have a certificate of admission to higher education or of confirmation of application)
• visa for participation in a language course (if you only wish to attend a language course in Germany)

 

N.B.: If you intend to begin studies in Germany immediately after your language course ends, you must apply for either a student visa or a student applicant visa before arrival in Germany, otherwise you will have to leave Germany at the end of the course and reapply from Singapore. The visa for a language course cannot be converted into a student visa or a student applicant visa in Germany!

 

1) For the student applicant visa you will need the following basic documents:

 

• a valid passport and 2 passport photographs
• proof of possession of a school leaving certificate, i.e. A-level certificate, entitling you to study in both Singapore and Germany (or to visit a preparatory course in Germany) as well as, where necessary proof of previous studies
• proof that you already possess German-language skills or that you plan to attend an intensive language course (at least 20 hours per week) in Germany
• proof of sufficient funds to finance your period of study

 

You may either

 

a) finance yourself or

b) nominate one or more persons who will assume the full costs.

 

You must supply evidence that sufficient funds per months or a sum covering at least one year’s study are available (e.g. own funds) equal to the highest German student loan level (BaföG), i.e. currently about DM 1,000 per month.

 

N.B.: As a student in Germany you may as a rule work for a maximum of 3 months and, depending on where you study, only during recess periods (e.g. semester holidays).

 

a.  If you are financed by a sponsor in your home country, that person must declare his/her willingness to cover all your costs during the standard period of study (proof of a minimum monthly income of 4,000 S$ (by means of local documents such as tax receipts, bank statements, certificates of employment, pay slips, Commercial Register excerpts).

b. If you are financed by a sponsor in Germany, that person must submit a binding declaration that he/she is willing to cover all your costs during the standard period of study.

c. If you receive a scholarship you must produce a letter of confirmation to this effect.

 

In all cases it must be certain that you will have a monthly sum available to you directly in Germany.

 

2) For the student visa you will in principle need all documents listed under 1) above, except that

 

- instead of the school leaving certificate, i.e. A-level certificate, you must enclose the certificate of admission to higher education or of confirmation of application.

 

N.B.: You may normally only send for your family later to live with you in Germany in exceptional cases, e.g. if you are scholarship holder or on a postgraduate course. In these cases you must be able at least to support yourself and your family, have sufficient accomodation for your family, and already be registered at a German higher education institution.

 

Please take your time and do not hesitate to contact the Cultural and Consular Sections of your local Embassy for further detailed advice on any questions you may have regarding your planned studies in Germany.

 

3) For the visa for participation in a language course you will basically need the following documents:

 

• a valid passport and 2 passport photographs
• proof that you have registered for a language course (e.g. certificate of registration, receipt of course fees)
• proof that you will be covered by health insurance for the duration of your stay in Germany
• proof that you are able to finance your stay and the course (using your own funds or via third parties)

 

 

 

Student Visa Application Procedure for Spain

 

Students who want to study abroad in Spain must obtain a student visa prior to their arrival in the country. The best time to start the process is after acceptance to a program of study.

 

The Spanish consulate in your area is the only office that can issue student visas. Each consulate has slightly different paperwork. Students should call ahead so they know what they need to provide.

 

Students generally must provide a completed visa application, a valid passport, four passport photos, an acceptance letter, a medical note verifying the student is in good health, financial guarantees and proof of medical insurance. Two copies of each document are required.

 

 

Student Visa Application Procedure for Sweden

 

There are certain procedures to be followed and some requirements that need to be fulfilled before applying for a student visa for Sweden. The following information must be provided in detail:

 

• Completed application form
• 4 passport size photographs
• Valid passport (For a minimum of 180 days prior to your arrival in Spain)
• Return travel tickets or itinerary and proof of payment for tickets
• Proof of purpose of visit
• Evidence of sufficient funds for stay
• Proof of attendance at educational institute
• Medical certificate from physician
• Police clearance certificates (for any country of residence during previous 5 years)

 

The visa is generally issued between 6 to 10 weeks and it costs about 15.50-21.70 pounds (double or multiple entry). But, depending on the length of the study and the nationality of the student, a student visa for Sweden might not be required at all.

 

Nationals of the following countries may not require a visa for stays of upto 90 days:

 

EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and US, Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican city and Venezuela.