Student Visas

New Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Countries

Dec 22nd

Posted by learnist in Student Visas | 35 views

New Visa Waiver Program

New Visa Waiver Countries

New Visa Waiver Countries has been anounced by President Bush. President anounced the expansion of the Visa Waiver Program to include the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic. However that expansion of visa waiver program won’t start immediately due to required preparations. Nationals of each country above continue to require visas to travel to the United States during that period. So they do still need to get visa to travel to U.S..

DHS(The Department of Homeland Security) has announced that nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic will be able to travel without a visa for tourist and business travel of 90 days or less beginning on November 17 provided they possess a biometric passport and register on-line through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Click here to see the list of Waiver countries.

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UK Visa Rules

Aug 10th

Posted by learnist in Student Visas | 56 views

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New UK Visa Rules

new uk visa rules

New rules has been anounced by UK government for foreign students who wishes to come and study in the UK. Its now harder to study in the UK. Students from abroad has to meet many new strict criteria.

The Home Office has published proposals for much tighter rules for foreign students – and the universities and colleges hosting them – under the student tier of its new Points Based System.

All colleges and universities that want to recruit foreign students will now need a licence to do so and will have to take greater responsibility for their international students, helping Government crack down on bogus colleges who abuse the system. For the first time education providers face a ban on bringing over international students if they fail to follow strict new rules – including alerting the UK Border Agency (UKBA) if students fail to enrol.

Students will also face stringent new criteria if they want to study in the UK, ensuring only those who benefit Britain can come. Before they can study here, foreign students must:

be sponsored by a UKBA-licensed education institution;
prove that they have the means to support themselves and their families while studying here; and
supply their fingerprints.

Stricter rules on work placements for students will also ensure that the UK’s labour market is protected.

Border and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:

"All those who come to Britain must play by the rules. It is right that foreign students wanting to take advantage of our world-class universities and colleges must meet strict criteria.

"By locking people to one identity with ID cards, alongside a tough new sponsorship system, we will know exactly who is coming here to study and crack down on bogus colleges."

Visas will only be granted to students who show a proven track record in education and are applying for a course that meets a minimum level of qualification. They must also be able to demonstrate they can financially support themselves and any of their dependants.

Students on courses for longer than 12 months will have to show they have sufficient funds to pay their first year of fees, plus £9,600 to cover their first year in the UK. Students wishing to bring their dependants with them will need to show they have a further £535 per month for each person they bring.

Each year, international students contribute £2.5 billion to the UK economy in tuition fees alone and an overall estimated contribution of £8.5 billion. In recognition of the many economic and cultural benefits that these students bring to the UK, earlier this year the Government announced a special visa category allowing successful international students who have graduated from a British university to work in the UK for up to two years.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said:

"I welcome the education sector’s involvement in developing a structure that allows international students to benefit from the excellent educational experience the UK offers, while giving them the opportunity to work in the UK for two years following graduation.

"However, I will not tolerate the minority of individuals who seek to damage the quality of our education system through bogus colleges. This is why we have introduced tighter checks to the current Register of Education and Training Providers. The new system will toughen this process further and give extra protection from the damage bogus colleges can cause."

Under the new system education providers who want to teach foreign nationals must be granted a licence by the UKBA, they can then sponsor students to come to the UK.

Without a confirmation of acceptance for studies issued to them by their sponsoring institution a student’s visa application will not be considered. It also acts as a pledge from the college or university that they accept responsibility for the student while they are in the UK.

Universities and colleges face losing their licence if they fail to:

keep copies of all their foreign students’ passports;
keep and update their students’ contact details;
alert the UKBA to any students who fail to enrol on their course;
report unauthorised absences to the UKBA; and
inform the UKBA if any student stops their studies.

The sponsorship register for colleges and universities opened for applications this week.

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Simple Guide for Passport and Visa Application

Mar 28th

Posted by learnist in Student Visas | 36 views

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Simple Guide for Passport and Visa Application

passport and visa guide

All students looking to study abroad are responsible for obtaining their own passport and visa. A "visa" is a stamp of approval usually put inside your passport and gives you permission to enter the country of choice for the length of time permitted. You will first need a valid passport in order to apply for a visa.

Passport Application

This flowchart can guide you step-by step through your passport application activity.

Acquire a blank DS-11 (Passport Application Form).
First-time U.S. passport applicants should apply in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility.
Prove your identity. The following can be used to prove your identity:
Previous U.S. passport

Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship
Current, valid Driver’s license
Government ID: city, state or federal, Military ID: military and dependents.

You need to provide 2 passport photographs. Photos should be:
2×2 inches in size

· Identical
· Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
· Color or black and white
· Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
· Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
· Taken in normal street attire

Pay the applicable fee and provide a Social Security Number.
Reminders when applying for a U.S.Passport:

· Social Security Cards cannot be used to prove your identity.
· Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty for failure to provide Social Security Number.
· Passport applications generally take 6 weeks, however if you use overnight delivery and pay a higher fee, they can be processed in as little as 2 weeks. Fees for first-time adult passport issuance are $85.00. In addition, the cost of expedited service has increased to $60.00 so be sure to budget accordingly.
· Check the status of your passport application by calling 1-888-362-8668; flat rate is $5.50 for every call and payable by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

Now that you are done and probably now holding your passport, you are now ready to move on to the next step. It’s now time for you to contact the nearest Consular Office of the country you wish to go to. Get the necessary visa document requirements for your student visa.

Most student visas require students to abide by the following:

· study full-time, with at least 20 hours per week classroom contact time
· attend at least 80% of scheduled classes
· achieve satisfactory progress in all enrolled subjects
· be covered by valid overseas student health coverage

Here are some reminders in case you will be asked to submit yourself for an interview:

· Be alert and answer all questions honestly.
· Bring personal copies of documents submitted to the visa officer.
· Bring copies of supplemental documents like financial documents and academic qualifications; in case the visa officer will ask about it, you have something in hand to show him.
· When asked, answer directly and avoid looking around. The visa officer might think that you are searching for answers somewhere; thus create a negative impression.

For visa applicants who are ready with their passport and in a hurry to get a visa, you can contact a “Visa Agency” to get you a visa in your absence. If your documents are complete, they can get you a visa in as short as two weeks.

As soon as you got hold of your visa, you are now ready to look for reasonable travel tickets for your travel. Good luck!

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Insurance

Dec 30th

Posted by learnist in Student Visas | 16 views

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Insurance

Insurance, car insurance

As you know health is most important thing in the world, in this life! even more important then your education and your study abroad advanture. Depends on where you are going to study abroad, you may need/should have some precautions during your time overseas! You must learn as much as you can about the health conditions in the country where you are living for your education! Before you go, make sure you are in good condition, you are in good health, get any medicine you need and make sure any medicine you need, you need to have is available in the country where you are going. You will also be asked to show proof of your health and some insurance like accident or you may be asked to purchase a special policy that will cover these areas overseas.

Checkups

Make sure that you have a physical and dental checkup before your departure, this will give you a confident about your health conditions and also you will be aware of any health issue you have that at the time you didn’t know.

Existing Conditions

If you already have an ongoing problem, like allergies or diabetes, you will have to take special precautions in preparing for and taking care of your health condition abroad. Make sure you have everything you need for your health conditions, you may not find your needs at the time you need.
Prescriptions

You may also be taking prescription medications regularly, of course make sure you bring a supply to last thoughtout your time abroad, if possible. Some countries has different kind of drugs such as USA, foreign drugs are not necessarily related to those standard in this country even the formula of the drug is same. Those drugs you need, may be marketed under different name, and it may not be available in the way you want. We recommend that you to have a letter( in English if possible) from your Doctor or pharmatics describing your medicines. This letter can be very useful in an emergency situation.

Another thing you should be aware of that is make sure all the drugs in the original pharmacy containers and are clearly labeled. You should also carry a copy of the prescription to avoid problems may occur with Customs.
CAUTION: You should check that because of the security, some rules may have been change and you may not take your medicine to abroad specially to United States.
To avoid unwanted situations please have you descriptions with you in case you need to prove why you have that drugs with you.

If you are diabetic or something similiar to diabetic which is mean you need your medicion regularly, have some of disposable supply. These will make sure you protect yourself againist to HIV, hepatitis, and other communiciable illnesses. You may not use inject medication, it is good idea to bring a few disposable syringes if you are studying in a country where those medications not available.We see a benefit for you to remind you again, nowadays rules for flying changing regularly depends on the political situations so before your departure find out what kind of things you can bring to abroad and can’t.

For some specific conditions like asthma, mild epilepsy, diabetic or allergy to penicilin, would be wise to wear a tag or a bracelet to identify your condition so that you can be threated properly.
Take an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses if you able to wear them. IMPORTANT Do not put your medication in to your checked luggage. Pack them in your carry on so if you lost your luggage you don’t lost your medication!

When moving to a new state you may need to get new car insurance and health insurance as those are sometimes different from state to state.

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Australia Student Visas Faq2

Dec 30th

Posted by learnist in Student Visas | 35 views

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Can I work in Australia?
You are not permitted to work on a tourist visa or initial student visa, whether granted overseas or in Australia. Students and their dependants will only be able to apply for a student visa with work rights after they arrive in Australia and the student has commenced their course of study. The charge is AUS $55. Students are usually limited to 20 hours work per week during term time and full-time during holiday periods. Dependents of Subclass 574 Masters and Doctorate students have unlimited work rights after the principal student visa holder has commenced his or her course in Australia.
Since 1st November 2000, a student visa is subject to mandatory cancellation if a student works more than their visa allows.

Can my family visit me in Australia?
Your spouse and children can be included in your application for a student visa, and therefore travel with you. Any parents and other family members wishing to visit you in Australia must obtain a tourist visa, whether ETA or other.

Once in Australia, can I change education providers?
You must remain with the education provider of your preliminary and principal courses for the duration of the course or 12 months, whichever is soonest. So, for examples, if you are granted a student visa for a package consisting of 6 months prerequisite English language studies followed by 3 years for a degree, you are must remain with your providers detailed on your application for a total of 18 months, unless you successfully apply to DIMIA to change provider.

If you intend to change education providers, you must notify your current education provider. To change education providers within the same education sector as the student visa you currently hold, you must complete a form 157C. You will be subject to a visa application charge of $130, except where you have to change because the education provider is no longer able to provide the course.
To change providers into a different education sector to your current principal course, you must apply for a new visa using form 157A and will be subject to a visa application charge of $315

Can I change my course?
To change your course you must simply notify the immigration service, but if your course is in a different education sector to your current principal course, then you must apply for a new visa as above.

Can I extend my student visa?
If your current visa is not subject to a ‘No further stay’ condition you may apply for a further student visa while in Australia. You will have to apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.

Can I leave Australia and re-enter?
Student visas are issued allowing for multiple entry. This means that you can leave Australia and re-enter using this visa whilst your visa remains valid. If you leave Australia without a valid visa you will need to re-apply overseas, pay the application charge and meet the visa requirements that are current at that time.

Can I become a permanent resident?
Certain international students who recently completed a diploma or degree after at least one year of full time study in Australia may be able to apply for:

Graduate – Skilled (Temporary) (Class UQ), subclass 497, or

Skilled Independent Overseas Student (Migrant) (Class DD), subclass 880, or

Skilled Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (Migrant) (Class DE), subclasses 881 or 882.

Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Australian embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter Australia. Australian Embassies Worldwide.

Australia Student Visas

Australia Student Visas Eta

Australia Student Visas Faq

Australia Student Visas Faq2

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