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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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Application form completed and signed.
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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 |
£86 |
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 |
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How to apply
Study Visa | Work Visa |
Online application form for Dutch study visa. |
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. |
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 |
£276 |
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 |
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How to apply
Study Visa | Work Visa |
Or by visiting the South African embassy, London. |
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 |
£145 |
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 |
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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. |
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. |
Cost
Study Visa | Work Visa |
£52 |
£53 - £473 |
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 |
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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 |
£262 |