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A student visa time limit is an important factor in determining your overseas education migratory period. Students planning to study abroad need to have a clear understanding of how long a student visa lasts at the time of completing the visa application process. The duration of a student visa is affected by numerous factors like course duration, immigration law, documentation, and many other factors, later to be categorized under a short-term student visa or long-term student visa. This blog will focus on answering how long a student visa lasts with some helpful information about student visas to help you in the process.
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What is a Student Visa?
A student visa is a document that allows you to enter a foreign country for studies and pursue your studies in the country as a registered student. It is as crucial while applying for a university abroad as a language proficiency test score or university application. It is a legal document that gives you permission to enter and stay in the country for a specific period.
Each nation has its specifications regarding a student visa time limit. Therefore, you should be aware that the duration of your student visa depends on the country you are studying in and the type, of course, you are enrolled in.
How Long Does a Student Visa Last?
The duration of a student visa varies depending on the country you are studying in. In most cases, a student visa lasts for the duration of your course. For instance, if you are enrolled in a three-year degree program, your student visa time limit will range up to three years. It also has a bit of reserve validity of a few months when a student can stay in the country after the study program ends.
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Country Wise Student Visa Time Limit
Every country has different rules and guidelines regarding the duration of a student visa. The following are the details about several countries:
Student Visa for the USA
Here are some essential details about the USA Student Visa time limit.
- A USA student visa can last for up to five years for undergraduate courses and up to two years for graduate courses.
- F1 visas are allowed a 60-day (almost 2 months) stay period after your study program is over.
- In case you need a visa extension as you found work, you can apply for I-539 with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- The fee for visa extension is $370 and an additional $85 for biometrics.
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Student Visa for Canada
Details of a Canadian student visa are mentioned below.
- A Canada student visa can last for the duration of your course.
- It also allows an additional 90 days stay after the completion of your course.
- You can also apply for an extension at IRCC Canada in case you need to.
Student Visa for the UK
Here are the details on the student visa time limit for the United Kingdom.
- A UK student visa can last for six months under the short-term student visa category.
- Students can apply for a Tier 4 General student visa.
- For a degree-level program, the maximum duration of a student visa is 5 years. The actual duration will depend on the duration of the study program.
- The duration can be extended by a maximum of 11 months in case the student is unable to complete their credits within the given time frame.
- Also, for education above degree level, there is no time limit on a student visa in the UK. This includes qualifications like Doctorates.
Factors Affecting Student Visa Duration
It is important to note that the duration of your student visa may also depend on other factors such as your financial situation, your academic progress, and your compliance with the rules and regulations of the country you are studying in. Here are some factors mentioned;
- Degree level
- Course duration
- Financial condition
- Course credits
- Immigration laws
- Documentation
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What Happens When Your Student Visa Expires?
Students should maintain timely compliance with their visa duration while studying abroad. When your student visa expires, you will need to leave the country or apply for a visa renewal process. If you do not leave the country or apply for an extension, you may be considered an illegal immigrant and may face deportation.
To avoid this situation, it is important to keep track of the visa expiration date of your student visa and apply for an extension if necessary. You should also make sure that you comply with all the rules and regulations of the country you are studying in to avoid any legal issues.
How to Apply for a Student Visa?
Once you know the importance of applying early for a student visa for your desired study abroad destination, you must begin to apply for a student visa in the following order:
- First and foremost, make sure you hold the offer letter from the applied university as proof of reason to visit the country.
- Then, complete the online visa application process as per the instructions of the concerned embassy.
- Lastly, complete the process by submitting the required documents and visa application fee.
Student Visa Application Documents
The supporting documents you will need to submit while applying for a student visa may include:
| University enrollment proof | Proof of financial support |
| Valid passport | Medical certificate |
However, it is important to note that you may also need to provide additional documents depending on the requirements of the country you are studying in.
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FAQs
A student visa time limit varies depending on the tenure of the applied course. On average, a study visa permits a stay from a minimum of six months to 10 years at maximum.
Yes, if your student visa application form has been rejected once, you can prefer to re-apply for the student visa a second time.
There is no restriction on the number of times a student can apply for a student visa. Hence, you may apply for a visa renewal or re-apply for a second student visa as long as you are enrolled at a foreign university.
For the period of your studies or attendance at the educational institution (e.g. language school), your residence status in the USA is valid. The I-20 form includes a space for the duration of the stay. Important: You can only stay in the United States for a maximum of 12 months if you attend a public high school with SEVP certification.
To avoid any last-minute delays and get guidance on how to proceed with the student visa application process, speak to Leverage Edu’s experts today. Our visa experts will not only help you to understand the country-specific visa requirements but also prepare you for the Visa interview. All you have to do is book a 30-minute free counselling session at our toll-free number 1800-572-000 or by email at [email protected].
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