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Visa information for study exchange destinations

Visa information for study exchange destinations

It is likely that you will need to apply for a visa to study outside of the UK. The process and visa requirements depend on what country you are travelling to and the duration of your stay. Most EU/EEA countries will permit you to study for a period of up to 90 days with a Schengen Visa.

You can apply for your visa at your host country's embassy, consulate, or visa application centre and may have to attend an interview. You may need to apply for your visa and book the embassy appointment via an agent, depending on whether the embassy has outsourced the process. We have provided the application requirements and links to the respective visa agents below for convenience.

Please note, as the information below is taken from external agencies, it is subject to change without notice. 

On this page

Australia Canada • France Germany • Italy • Netherlands • South Africa • Spain • USA

Australia

Visa application website

Visit the official visa website for Australia.

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

90 days or more.

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa
  • Valid passport
  • Four photographs
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)/evidence of intended study
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • Evidence of funds
  • Health assessment
  • Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) and statement including intent to return to UK
  • English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL (if applicable)
  • Valid passport
  • Four photographs
  • A valid job offer (if applicable)
  • Health and travel insurance
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Completed Form 80 for Personal Character Assessment
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • Proof of educational qualification - certificates and CV

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application for Australian study visa.

No embassy appointment necessary. Form to complete at immigration, with study permit issued directly.

Online application for Australian work visa

No embassy appointment necessary. Document check to complete at immigration, with work permit issued directly. 

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

Normally within 4 weeks.

6 days to 12 months.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£347

$620 AUD

£285 - £2330

$518 - $4235 AUD

 

Canada

Visa application website

Visit the official visa website for Canada.

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

Visa is required for any stay duration.

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa
  • Valid passport
  • Two photographs
  • Letter of acceptance from Canadian university
  • Proof of financial support (CAD $833 a month outside Quebec, CAD $917 in Quebec)
  • Letter of explanation (why you want to study in Canada, that you understand your responsibilities as a student)
  • Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) (for study in Quebec)
  • Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (for study in Quebec for 6+ months)
  • Valid passport
  • Two photographs
  • Evidence that you meet the requirements for your prospective job (if applicable)
  • Proof of funds
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Educational qualifications certificate
  • Certificat D’Acceptation du Quebec (for work in Quebec)
  • Completed application For Work Permit Made
  • Outside of Canada (IMM 1295) form
  • Completed document checklist
  • Application for temporary residence visa form
  • Fingerprints and biometrics

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application for Canadian study visa.

No embassy appointment necessary. Form to complete at immigration, with study permit issued directly.

Online application for Canadian work visa.

No embassy appointment necessary. Document check to complete at immigration, with work permit issued directly.

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

Immediately to 10 weeks.

5 weeks.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£88

$150 CAD

£92

$156 CAD

 

France

Visa application website

Visit the official visa website for France.

Here are the steps to follow to study in France in 2021-2022.

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

90 days or more. There are still entry requirements for visa-free travel.

Documents required to apply

Study Visa   Work Visa
  • Valid passport
  • One photograph
  • Certificate of pre-registration (or registration) from SHU
  • Last completed degree
  • Proof of accommodation for the first three months
  • Proof of financial means of support (minimum 615/month)
  • Valid passport
  • One photograph
  • Internship agreement with the visa of the prefect of the department in which the internship takes place
  • Medical insurance for the whole period of stay
  • Proofs of accommodation during your internship
  • Proof of financial resources proving that you have enough funds (1480 per month)

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application for French study visa.

Followed by appointment at embassy in Manchester, London or Edinburgh.

Online application for French work visa.

Followed by appointment at embassy in Manchester, London or Edinburgh.

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

Normally 15 to 20 days.

Normally 15 to 20 days.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£86

€99

£86

€99

 

Germany


Visa application website

Visit the official visa website for Germany

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

90 days or more. There are still entry requirements for visa-free travel.

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa
  • Two printouts of the online application form including barcodes
  • Valid passport
  • Two photocopies of the passport biodata page
  • Two photographs
  • Two copies of the German university admission letter
  • Study abroad confirmation by UK University
  • Evidence of sufficient funds: minimum 861 for each month of stay
  • Professional / academic CV
  • Letter confirming agreement with a named student undertaking an internship with a named company
  • Valid passport
  • Two photocopies of the passport biodata page
  • Two photographs
  • Employer’s declaration - to be completed by your employer
  • Confirmation of pre-approval by the Federal Employment Agency (if available), original and one photocopy
  • Academic/ professional curriculum vitae
  • Evidence of medical insurance
  • Full list of required documents here

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application for German study visa.

Followed by appointment at embassy in London or Edinburgh.

Online application for German work visa.

Follow these steps in order to apply for a Schengen visa, and to make an appointment with the Visa Application Centre.

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

4 to 6 weeks.

Up to 15 days from date of appointment.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£65

€75

£92

€107

 

 

Italy

Visa application website

Visit this visa website for Italy

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

Visa is required for any stay duration.

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

For stays of up to 90 days a schengen visa is required.

For long stay visas beyond 90 days complete a 'Long term' application form.

  • Passport
  • One photograph
  • Cover letter
  • Original recent letter (not older than 1 month) of acceptance from University in Italy, specifying the type of course, number of weekly hours and dates
  • Original recent letter (not older than 1 month) from University in UK confirming enrolment and applicant’s mobility program
  • Round-trip travel ticket reservation for short-term Schengen Visa shorter than 90 days. One way travel tickets reservation for long-term National visa longer than 90 days
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Travel insurance
  • Proof of financial means of support

Application form completed and signed.

For short stay visas up to 90 days complete Schengen Visa application form.

For long stay visas beyond 90 days complete a 'Long term' application form.

  • Passport
  • One photograph
  • Nulla Osta (Entry Clearance) issued from ""SUI"" (Unified Immigration Desk)/ANPAL (National Agency for Active Labour Policies)/CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) in Italy
  • Round-trip travel ticket reservation for short-term Schengen Visa shorter than 90 days. One way travel tickets reservation for long-term National visa longer than 90 days.

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application for Italian study visa

By appointment at Italian embassy, at either London or Manchester.

Online application for Italian work visa.

By appointment at Italian embassy, at either London or Manchester.

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

Up to 90 days from date of appointment.

Up to 90 days from date of appointment.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£86

€99

£86

€99

 

Netherlands

Visa application website

Visit this website for your visa application.  

Click here for information on visa types.

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

A short stay visa or a Schengen visa is required if you plan to study in the Netherlands for 90 days or less.

An entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit (VVR) are required if you plan to study in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. Just like the short stay visa, the MVV is only valid for 90 days and should be followed by the application for a VVR.  

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa
  • Completed visa application form
  • Valid passport
  • Two photographs
  • Birth certificate
  • Academic transcripts
  • Official letter from the academic institution in the Netherlands
  • Complete study plan – explain why you are interested in studying the chosen subject area and how and why it is related to your prior studies
  • Financial proof for the entire period of study (around 870/month)
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Visa application fee (€174)
  • Photocopies of all the original documents
  • Tuberculosis test (required for citizens from some countries)
  • Photocopies of all the original documents
  • Biometric information
  • If you will be working in the Netherlands for less than 90 days, your employer must apply for an employment permit for you (Dutch) from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).
  • If you will be working in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, your employer must apply for a combined residence and work permit for you (Dutch) from the IND.
  • The form for your employer to complete is available here.

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application form for Dutch study visa.

Followed by an appointment at the Netherlands embassy, located in London, Edinburgh and Manchester.

You or your employer apply for a Single Permit. This is a permit that allows a foreign national to stay and work in the Netherlands. The Single Permit combines the residence permit and the TWV. You only have to apply for one permit, to one authority: the IND. The IND asks advice from the Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency (UWV) about the labour market aspect. UWV assesses the request for advice based on the criteria of the Foreign Nationals Employment Act (Wav). The IND takes a decision on the basis of the advice of UWV. If the decision is positive and the Single Permit is issued, the IND will inform you accordingly.

The Single Permit consists of a residence permit and an additional document that states for which employer the foreign national is permitted to work and under which conditions.

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

Normally 15 days, but can be up to 60 days.

Normally 15 days, but can be up to 60 days.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£166

€192

£276

€320

 

South Africa

Visa application website

Visit the official visa website for South Africa

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

Visa is required for any duration of stay.

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa
  • Valid passport
  • Completed BI-1738 form
  • Proof of application payment
  • Acceptance letter from a university, with the course duration
  • Confirmation of registration
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if student has or intends to travel through a yellow fever endemic area)
  • Proof of necessary financials during stay
  • Proof of medical coverage
  • Valid passport
  • VFS appointment letter
  • Completed DHA-947 form online
  • Payment of the application fee of £145/2870 ZAR
  • Proof of financial support
  • Offer of employment
  • Health clearing
  • Criminal record clearing
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if student intends to travel through a yellow fever endemic area)

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application

Or by visiting the South African embassy, London. 

Online application

Followed by an appointment at the VFS Centre; either Edinburgh, Manchester or London. 

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

4 to 8 weeks.

30 days.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£193

3826 ZAR

£145

2870 ZAR

 

Spain

Visa application website

Visit this visa website for Spain. Here is an update from the UK Government regarding student visa applications for Spain

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

90 days or more. There are still entry requirements for visa-free travel.

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa
  • Two completed Schengen Visa application forms
  • Valid passport
  • Student ID
  • Two photographs
  • Letter of acceptance from the course provider
  • Health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds to cover stay (bank statements)
  • National visa form complete, dated and signed
  • One photograph
  • Valid passport
  • Certificate of criminal record
  • Resolución de autorización de residencia inicial para prácticas

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application for Spanish study visa.

By appointment at Spanish embassy, at either London or Manchester.

Online application for Spanish work visa.

By appointment at Spanish embassy, at either London or Manchester. 

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

Advice is to apply 2 to 3 months in advance of travel.

Can apply within 90 days of travel.

Allow approximately 15 working days for processing.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£52

€60

£53 - £473

€62 - €550

 

USA

Visa application website

Visit the official visa website for the USA

When do you require a visa? (Duration of stay)

Exchange visitor visa is required for any duration of stay. 

Documents required to apply

Study Visa Work Visa
  • Valid passport
  • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
  • Two photographs
  • DS-2019 application confirmation page
  • Signed SEVIS form and paid SEVIS fee (Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems)
  • Evidence of financial resources
  • Evidence of student status (such as recent tuition receipts and transcripts)
  • Letter from SHU stating intent to return to home university
  • Application fee payment confirmation receipt
  • Valid passport
  • Completed form i-765
  • Paid fees

    Two-year Home-country Physical Presence Requirement Conditions - An exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement and must return to their home country for a cumulative total period of at least two years before changing or updating status to a temporary work visa. A waiver can be applied for under certain circumstances.

How to apply

Study Visa Work Visa

Online application for American study visa.

Followed by an appointment at the U.S. embassy, located in London or Edinburgh.

Online application for American work visa.

Followed by an appointment at the U.S. embassy, located in London, Edinburgh or Belfast.

Turnaround time

Study Visa Work Visa

Immediately to several days.

5 to 7 months.

Cost

Study Visa Work Visa

£114

$160 USD

£262

$367 USD