Where do I apply?
You apply to the nearest Canadian visa office. You must obtain permission to study in Canada before leaving for Canada. However, the following persons may apply from within Canada:

• Those holding valid work or study permits and their family members.

• Those holding temporary resident permits (TRPs) valid for a minimum of six months, and their family.

• Refugee claimants.

• Persons under a removal order that cannot be enforced.

• Permanent resident applicants and their family members from the following classes:

live-in-caregiver;
spouse or common-law partner;
protected persons, and humanitarian and compassionate considerations (H&C).

• Persons whose study permits were authorized at a visa office.

• Family members of:

athletes on a Canadian-based team;
media representatives;
members of the clergy; or
Military personnel assigned to Canada.

Some applicants may submit information at a port of entry if they have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian educational institution and are:

• nationals or permanent residents of the United States;

• residents of Greenland or residents of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon; or

• people whose study permits have been approved in writing by officers outside Canada but to whom the permits have not been issued.

In some cases, foreign nationals, including claimants for refugee protection, may apply for study permits in Canada.

What is the cost of a visa?
If a student visa and/or authorization is required, the cost is CAN $125 payable in the local currency.

How long is the visa valid for?
Student permits are valid for the duration of the program of study. Where temporary resident visas are required these are also valid for the duration of study.

Other information:
Once the immigration officer has reviewed your application, they decide if an interview is necessary. If so, the visa officer will provide details of the time and place.

Some applicants may be asked to attend a medical examination. This may delay the application process by up over three months.

Your application may be delayed or returned to you unprocessed if you make a mistake on the form.

Can my husband or wife and children accompany me to Canada?

Your spouse or dependant children may either accompany you to Canada or they can join you at a later date. Any individuals traveling on your student permit must also meet the requirements for visitors to Canada. They may be required to provide evidence that they are law abiding and have no criminal record. They may also be required to have a medical examination, and to obtain a temporary resident visa.

If they intend to travel with you, include them on your application by providing their names and other information in the appropriate space on the application form and provide their photos. You will be required to provide a marriage certificate for your spouse and birth certificates for any accompanying dependants. If they wish to follow you to Canada at a later date, they must make a separate application for admission.

Canada Student Visas

Canada Visas Where Do I Apply

Canada Student Visas Required Documents

Canada Student Visa Faq

Read the rest of the story >

Who needs a visa?
Anyone wishing to study in Canada who is not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a dependant of a diplomat accredited to Canada, must obtain a student permit. These will only be issued once you have been accepted into the university or college.
In addition to the student permit, you may also require a temporary resident visa. For the list detailing country nationals who will require a visa see www.cic.gc.ca

Student authorization is not required if the course is:

• an English or French language course that lasts no more than six months;

• not academic, professional or vocational; such as general interest course such as arts and crafts or self-improvement;

• courses included in tour packages as a secondary activity for tourists; and

• day care or nursery school programs which are not a compulsory part of the elementary school system.

However, if your course is only 6 months or less and you think you may wish to extend this at a later date, or you will be a full time student intending to work on campus it is advised that you apply for a study permit.

Who will not be allowed to enter?
The following will not be able to obtain a USA entry visa:
1. anyone who has certain serious disorders or infectious diseases deemed threatening to the property, safety or welfare of others;
2. people who have been arrested (except for very minor driving offences) or who have a criminal record;
3. addicts or abusers of narcotics and drug traffickers;
4. anyone who has been deported from or denied admission to the USA.
Note: Disqualified people may be suitable candidates for a waiver of ineligibility.

Canada Student Visas

Canada Visas Where Do I Apply

Canada Student Visas Required Documents

Canada Student Visa Faq

Read the rest of the story >

Who needs a Student Visa?

Most international students will require a permit that sets out the conditions of their stay in New Zealand.  Citizens from visa-free countries will be able to stay in New Zealand with their permit.  Any other citizens will also need a student visa.

 
If you comply with any of the following, you will not need a visa or a permit: 

    * a New Zealand citizen, or

    * a New Zealand resident, or

    * the holder of a valid Australian passport, or

    * the holder of a current Australian Permanent Resident Visa, or

    * the holder of a current Australian Resident Return Visa.

 
If the course of study is a single short course of less than 90 days duration, and is approved or exempted by NZQA, the student does not need a student visa, and can apply for a visitor visa.

 
If you intend to study more than one short course of study or training, you will need to apply for a student visa or permit.

Restricted entry

You may be refused a visa or be issued with a limited purpose visa to study in New Zealand for the following reasons;

 if you are not of an acceptable standard of health and/or character; or

• if you are unable to satisfy a visa or immigration officer that you are entering New Zealand for a genuine lawful purpose; or

• if, in the assessment of the visa or immigration offi cer, you are likely to remain in New Zealand unlawfully or likely to breach the conditions of your Student Permit; or

• if you are a person to whom section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 applies and you have not been given a special direction authorising entry (section 7 applies to people who: have been sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years or more; have been sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months or more in the last 10 years; have been deported from any country; are suspected of being likely to constitute a danger to New Zealand’s security or public order; considered likely to commit an offence against the Crimes Act 1961 or Misuse of Drugs Act 1975)

 
What requirements do students have to meet?

Before applying for a student permit or visa, the applicant must have formally been offered a place by the education provider. Students must also meet some general requirements both before they arrive and during their stay in New Zealand.

 
How Do I Apply?

You can apply by completing and submitting the Application to Study in New Zealand (NZIS 1012) yourself, or you can ask another person to assist you.

 
When should I apply for a Student Visa?

Prospective international students can only apply for a Student Visa while they are living outside of New Zealand and have received an offer of a place.

 
Students who are already in New Zealand on a Student Permit require a Student Visa if they want to leave and return to New Zealand.

 
When should I apply for a Student Permit?

If you are already living in New Zealand on another permit, such as a Work Permit, and intend to study full time, you will require a Student Permit.  If you intend to study part time, you will need to apply for a Variation of Conditions to your current permit.

 
You should apply for a Student Permit if you are already living in New Zealand and have received a formal offer of a place from an education provider.

 
What documentats are required?

You must provide all the relevant evidence listed on the checklist on the front pages of the Application to Study in New Zealand (NZIS 1012). If you do not provide all of the necessary documents, your application may be returned to you. All applicants under Student policy must be bona fide applicants, be of good character and of an acceptable standard of health.

Evidence of genuine intent to stay in New Zealand temporarily for a lawful purpose may include:

• any information or submissions showing you have a legitimate need to spend time in New Zealand for a specific period; and

• any documents or submissions showing you meet the Student policy provisions.

 
If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than six months you may need to provide the following as evidence you are in good health:

• A completed Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1096);

or

• A completed Medical and X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007).

Please read the Health Requirements Leafl et (NZIS 1121) for further details of the health information you may need to submit with your application.

 If you are aged 17 years or over and intend being in New Zealand for 24 months or longer, or are required by a visa or immigration officer to provide evidence of your character, you must submit the following:

• Police certificates from your country of citizenship (unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there) and from any country in which you have lived for 5 or more years since you were 17 years old.

Note: All police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you make your application.

For information on how to obtain a police certificate you can visit www.immigration.govt.nz/policecertificate

 
Can I work on a student permit/visa?

Student Permits are not issued with work allowances however you may apply for a Variation of Conditions on your student permit to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time, and 40 hours per week during holidays if you meet the following criteria:

• you are undertaking a full-time course of study at a Private Training Establishment or Tertiary Institution, of at least 2 academic years duration; or

• you are undertaking a full-time course of study culminating in a New Zealand qualification that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of residence policy; or

• engaged in a full-time, course of study of at least 6 months duration at a Private Training Establishment or

Tertiary Institution, and a visa or immigration officer is satisfied that the primary purpose of the course of study is to develop English language skills, and you have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 5.0 or above (General Academic Module) at the time of application for a Student Visa or Permit.

Note: No person who holds a Student Visa and/or Permit may work in self-employment; or provide commercial sexual services or operate or invest in a business of prostitution.

New Zealand Agency of International Development (NZAID) supported students are not permitted to work unless NZAID and the relevant education provider have given their written approval and the work is a compulsory requirement to fulfil practical experience for their course of study, or is related to their postgraduate course of study.

If do not meet the above criteria, you may apply for a Variation of Conditions to allow you to work during the Christmas and New Year holiday period at the end of each academic year, provided you are undertaking a full-time course of study of 12 months or more duration. An offer of employment is not required.

Note: A fee is payable for a Variation of Conditions; however, if it is sought in conjunction with a visa and/or permit, the application fee may be waived.

Can I extend my permit/visa?

Students can extend their existing permits/visas whilst they are in New Zealand although they need to allow enough time for a decision to be made on their application before their current permit expires.  If the student’s existing permit expires, their application for a further permit does not make their stay in New Zealand lawful and they will have to leave the country.

Can my husband or wife and children come with me?

Your partner and children may be able to travel with you although they will need to apply for their own appropriate visa; either a visitor visa or a student visa if they will also be studying.

As an overseas student, will I need medical insurance?

Student Permit holders are generally not eligible for publicly-funded health and disability services.

Overseas students are strongly recommended to have comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their visit.

If you are covered by New Zealand’s Reciprocal Health Agreements (a citizen of New Zealand, Australia or UK) you may be entitled to publicly funded health care although this is for immediately necessary medical treatment only.

Read the rest of the story >

USA Student Visas Waiver Program

(a) Upon presentation of a valid passport, nationals of the following countries do not require a visa under the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Australia, Brunei, EU countries (except nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa), Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore and Switzerland.
To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid machine-readable passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days.

If entering the USA by air or sea, passengers must hold a return or onward ticket or itinerary (if onward tickets terminate in Bermuda, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, travelers must be legal permanent residents of those countries), hold a completed form I-94W and enter aboard an air or sea carrier participating in the Visa Waiver Program (lists of participating air or sea carriers are available from most travel agents or the carriers themselves).

If entering the USA by land from Canada or Mexico, hold a completed form I-94W* issued by Immigration at the port of entry and a US$6 fee (only payable in US Dollars).
Note*: 1. Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form.

2. Members of Visa Waiver Program countries who want to work, study or remain more than 90 days in the USA must apply for a visa before traveling, as should those who have been previously refused a visa, have a criminal record, or are in any way ineligible for an unrestricted visa. 3. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. If you are unsure about visa requirements (including those identified as Restricted Entry above) should contact the US Consulate General or the Visa Department of the US Embassy .

Can I work in USA?
Under an F-1 student visa, work is generally not permitted. However it may be that work within the university campus is permitted.

Which Countries Included to Visa Waiver Program;

Participating Countries

Who can enter to USA by using Visa Waiver Program?

Nationals of the 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program may use VWP if:

• The purpose of their stay in the U.S is 90 days or less for tourism or business. Media purposes are not in business section so you may need to apply for a non-immagrant visa!
• They must have a machine-readable passport which is valid for at least 6 months. This includes all categories of passports — regular, diplomatic, and official, when the traveler is seeking to enter the United States for business or tourist purposes, for a maximum of 90 days

– Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 – integrated chip with information from the data page (e-Passport)
- Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 – requires digital photograph printed on data page or integrated chip with information from the data page
- Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 – no further requirements

• They have complied with the conditions of previous admissions under the Visa Waiver Program, and have not been found ineligible for a U.S. visa; and
• If arriving by air or sea, they are traveling on an approved carrier (almost all major airlines and cruise ship companies are currently approved carriers – copies of carrier lists may be requested from the Department of Homeland Security’s National Fines Office at 1525 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA. 22209), and have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination.*; or
• They can demonstrate the intent to stay 90 days or less in the United States and demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves while in the United States.
  

There is a fee to use the Visa Waiver Program;

How much will i pay for visa waiver program?

There is a small land border fee for Visa Waiver Program travelers arriving at land ports of entry, per 8 CFR § 103.7(b)(1).
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest United States embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter the USA.

Read the rest of the story >

If not traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, the following documents are required:
2 copies of the completed application forms
A passport valid for travel to the US, with an expiry date at least six months after the expected departure date

1 passport sized colour photograph (1 x 1.5in or 2.5 x 3.2cm)
Evidence of sufficient funds

Note
1. If traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, passports must be valid for no less than 90 days from date of entry (except nationals of Andorra, Brunei and San Marino, where passports must be valid for at least six months after the expected departure date).
2. Since 26^th October 2004, all entrants to the USA using the Visa Waiver Program are required to hold individual machine-readable passports. That includes children listed on a parent’s passport who must have their own passport. Travelers without machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
3. Passports issued on or after 26^th October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier for the holder to travel without s visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Postal or drop-box applications (direct to Embassy):
1. Completed visa application form DS-156.
2. Passport (valid for at least 6 months from entry).
3. 1 passport-size colour photo
4. a copy of Embassy’s red paying-in slip.
5. Supporting documents: DS-158 (men aged between 16 and 45 will also need a DS-157).
6. a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Machine Readable Passports;

What should I know about machine-readable passports and family travel?

Families seeking to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program need to obtain an individual machine-readable passport for each traveler, including infants(babies under age of 2). Machine-readable passports typically have biographic data for only one traveler in the machine-readable zone. Because of the October 26, 2004 requirement that passport data be presented in machine-readable format, children included in family or parents’ passports may be denied visa-free entry into the United States since only the primary traveler’s biographic data is included in the machine-readable zone of the passport.

USA Student Visas

USA Student Visas Waiver Program

USA Student Visas Required Documents

USA Student Visas How Do I Apply

Read the rest of the story >