Visa/permit guidance for UK based students wanting to study, work & volunteer abroad Created via the collaboration of UK university staff as part of the UUKi Visa Working group
How to get started with a visa/permit application to study or work abroad
This section will bring to your attention various considerations you should think about before starting any visa application process. This includes the potential time it will take, costs involved, documentation needed and various other factors.
There is a summary of the contents of this guidance at the bottom of the page that will allow you to navigate to all the other sections.
How you get started on applying for a visa will depend on the activity you are undertaking and if you are a UK passport holder or not. However, a good starting point is to ensure you use official government resources to access authentic sources of information.
Please be aware that this guide does not provide advice specific to any particular country destinations - it is designed to be as comprehensive as possible in covering a wide range of typical requirements that students are likely to encounter. However, not all the requirements listed below will apply for every country and students should follow the steps below to research the requirements applicable for their destination and circumstances.
Important considerations before you start looking into entry and visa requirements
Costs – The cost of visa/permits/documentation, and any associated costs will vary between countries. You should bear this in mind as you prepare. Here are some of the costs that you may incur:
- The visa application fee. This may be a single fee covering the entire application process, or it might be an initial fee just to process your application form with other fees (for example for document checks) paid separately.
- Any pre-application checks that are required as part of the application process, e.g. safeguarding checks such as a current DBS certificate.
- Health screenings. These might include presenting negative Covid results (sometimes known as 'fit to fly'), while others might be a medical letter confirming you are in ‘good health’ generally. Pre-application or post-approval checks might also include health screenings that will involve both a cost and time to get it done.
- Embassy/consulate appointments. These may or may not be covered by the visa application fee. Embassies/consulates may want you attend in person to simply drop off the application form, or they may wish to interview you.
- Submitting your application and documentation via postage. You may be required to post your application along with your passport and original documentation, e.g. birth/marriage certificate. Paying extra for secure and insured postage may be a requirement, or may provide extra peace of mind when sending these important documents.
- Costs of obtaining documentation. You may be required to get official translations or notarisation/legalisation for some documents and charges for these services can be substantial.
- Travel expenses when applying in person/submitting your application and/or collecting your visa in person. This might for example require you to travel to the embassy, e.g. in London, be it to submit an application and/or pick up your visa and passport once processed. Therefore, you will have to cover travel costs to get there. This might also include overnight accommodation costs depending on the time of your appointment and if you are required to return the following day.
Time - The visa application process from start to finish, including any preparation, will take time - be it a day or many days over a longer period. It’s important you are aware of this from the start. Some applications once submitted can take weeks/months to be processed and returned to you.
It is important to start researching visa requirements for your destination as early as possible and review these requirements before application in case there have been any changes. As a guideline, you should start the application process at least 3 months in advance where possible.
Documentation – In addition to a completed application form, you will likely need to submit some additional documentation either electronically or physically. What documentation is needed will vary between countries, as well as the type of Visa you have applied for.
You are likely to need some of the following documentation:
- Proof of a travel ticket be it one way or return, e.g. airline tickets
- Bank statements for several months or other proof of finances such as your student loan
- Letter of invitation from your host institution or organisation (e.g. confirming you have been accepted for the relevant study/work/volunteer purpose)
- Proof of accommodation booking for full duration
- A clear reason for your travel
- Proof of your student status from the UK university where you are studying
- Contract of employment if working abroad
- International agreements, such as a 'Convention de stage' to work in France
- Proof of specific vaccinations
- Proof of a valid travel insurance policy
Booking Travel as part of your visa application – Some embassies may want confirmation of booked flights/travel as part of your visa application. Where this is the case, ensure you apply in plenty of time to allow for any possible visa delays/rejections. This will allow you enough time to address any issues that occur.
Note: Other embassies may tell you not to book until after your visa has been processed. This is why it is important to read the embassy visa information carefully to ensure you comply with all requirements and have your visa granted ASAP.
Additional documentation – You may need to prove your student status and/or send completed agreements such as an international partnership agreement between your university and your host. If it is applicable, your host institution/organisation should make you aware of this requirement.
Please contact your university's Global Mobility/International Office if you have been asked by your host/activity provider/visa application to provide documentation of this kind.
Travel route & transiting – For some long-haul/long distance flights you are likely to need to transit through another country. When looking at travel advice and entry requirements, you will need to also look at the requirements set out by any countries you are temporarily stopping in/transiting through, in addition to your destination. Most will not require you to apply for a Visa, providing you are staying within the airport for less than 24hrs.
It is also worth checking if there are any additional entry requirements for your final destination if you have flown into the country from a transiting country. This is important as it may require you to adhere to additional checks, which may not have been the case if you had flown directly from your home country.
Support – you should speak to your host institution/organisation about what type of visa you require and for how long. They may be able to assist in your application and/or make it on your behalf. Not all institutions/organisations are able to offer this type of support, but it is worth checking before you make any application.
Even if your host institution/organisation and/or a third-party company make an application on your behalf, you still have a responsibility to check and ensure you are issued with the right visa type/permit for your full journey/stay. This includes any possible transiting countries. It will not be a sufficient defense that your visa was applied for on your behalf if you experience difficulties related to your visa when entering your chosen destination.
Contents of this visa/permit guidance for UK based students wanting to study, work & volunteer abroad
- Introduction: What is a visa/permit & passport types, what support is offered by UK HE institutions
- How to get started: Applying for a Visa/Permit to study or work abroad
- Ready to get started with your Visa Application: Step by step guide
- Further resources: Useful Links & Glossary of terms
DISCLAIMER - Please note this guidance does not constitute advice. It does not guarantee that any visa applications will not be rejected/refused. It is intended as best practice guidance on how to ensure that you have everything you need to apply for a visa/permit to study/work/volunteer outside the UK. This guidance was written and published in February 2024, last updated Autumn 2024.