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Student visa guide for Indian students

Every country runs its own student visa, but the steps are similar. Compare the 13 destinations we advise on, then open a country guide for its full rules, fees and official sources.

Student visas compared

Key facts from each country guide, checked against official sources in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official page before you apply.

Student visas for Indian students compared by country
CountryVisa or permitKey factsFull guide
Flag of United KingdomUnited KingdomStudent visa
  • Visa fee: £558 from outside the UK
  • Health surcharge: £776 per year of the visa, paid upfront
  • Living funds: £1,171 a month outside London or £1,529 in London, for up to 9 months (rising to £1,203 and £1,570 from 30 November 2026)
United Kingdom visa guide
Flag of AustraliaAustraliaStudent visa (subclass 500)
  • Application charge: A$2,500 for most applicants, from 1 July 2026
  • Living costs to show: A$29,710 a year, plus first-year tuition and travel
  • Health cover: Overseas Student Health Cover is required for your whole stay
Australia visa guide
Flag of CanadaCanadaStudy permit (with a temporary resident visa for Indian citizens)
  • Fees: C$150 study permit fee plus C$85 biometrics
  • Living funds to show: C$23,448 for one person from 1 September 2026 (outside Quebec), plus tuition and travel
  • Attestation letter: Required for most students; not needed for master's or PhD programmes at public institutions starting from 1 January 2026
Canada visa guide
Flag of IrelandIrelandLong-stay 'D' study visa, followed by Stamp 2 student permission
  • Visa fee: €60 single entry, charged in rupees at VFS (₹5,300), plus VFS service charges
  • Processing time (New Delhi): Usually 4–8 weeks for a first decision; appeals take about six months
  • Living funds: At least €10,000 for each year of study, on top of tuition
Ireland visa guide
Flag of GermanyGermanyNational visa for study (D visa), followed by a residence permit for study purposes (Section 16b Residence Act)
  • Visa fee: €75, paid in rupees
  • Proof of funds: €11,904 for the first year (€992 a month)
  • APS certificate: Required for Indian applicants
Germany visa guide
Flag of New ZealandNew ZealandFee Paying Student Visa
  • Visa cost: From NZ$850, including the NZ$100 visitor levy
  • Processing time: 80% within 7 weeks; apply at least 3 months before travel
  • Living funds: NZ$20,000 a year (NZ$1,667 a month for shorter courses)
New Zealand visa guide
Flag of NetherlandsNetherlandsEntry visa (MVV) and residence permit for study
  • Application fee: €254 (2026), paid via your university
  • Funds required: €1,130.77 a month for university or applied sciences students (2026)
  • Decision time: Usually about 2 weeks after the university applies; legal limit 90 days
Netherlands visa guide
Flag of Dubai (UAE)Dubai (UAE)UAE student residence visa (university-sponsored)
  • Validity: Usually one year, renewed annually until the course ends
  • Visa package cost: Around AED 4,100–7,300 in the first year, set by each university; renewal about AED 3,700
  • Refundable deposit: Around AED 2,500–3,000, returned after the visa is cancelled
Dubai (UAE) visa guide
Flag of SpainSpainStudent visa (national visa, type D) and long-stay authorisation for studies
  • Visa fee: INR 9,599 plus INR 1,802 BLS service charge (October 2026)
  • Decision time: One month by law, longer if an interview or more documents are needed
  • Funds required: €600 a month for the student; €450 for the first family member, €300 for each extra one (2026)
Spain visa guide
Flag of MaltaMaltaNational (Type D) study visa, followed by a study residence permit (e-Residence card)
  • Visa fee: €100 standard or €150 extended service, plus VFS charges (non-refundable)
  • Residence permit fee: €50 (Identità, study applications)
  • Processing time: At least 6–8 weeks for the visa, according to VFS
Malta visa guide
Flag of CyprusCyprusEntry permit and temporary residence permit for students
  • Government fees: €70 application, €55 permit and €70 first registration; €55 for each yearly renewal
  • Processing time: About 4 weeks for the entry permit; the residence permit can take a few months after arrival
  • Funds: Often a balance of about €7,000, or at least the first year's tuition; set by each university's checklist
Cyprus visa guide
Flag of LatviaLatviaTemporary residence permit for studies (with a national D visa for entry)
  • State fee: €160 (30 days), €280 (10 working days) or €560 (5 working days)
  • Funds required: At least €780 a month of stay (equal to the 2026 minimum wage)
  • Health insurance: Cover of at least €42,600, including repatriation
Latvia visa guide
Flag of LithuaniaLithuaniaTemporary residence permit for studies (Leidimas laikinai gyventi)
  • State fee: €80 (general processing) plus about €110 VFS service fee
  • Processing time: Up to 2 months, can be extended; universities warn it can take longer in peak season
  • Funds required (2026–27): €577 a month for 12 months plus €1,153 for return: €8,077
Lithuania visa guide

The steps most countries share

The order is much the same everywhere. What changes is the name of each document and the amounts.

  1. Step 1

    Get an offer and accept it

    Apply to a university or college that is allowed to enrol international students, accept the offer and pay any deposit it asks for.

  2. Step 2

    Receive the acceptance document

    The university then issues the document the visa needs: a CAS in the UK, a CoE in Australia, a letter of acceptance in Canada, or an admission letter elsewhere.

  3. Step 3

    Arrange and show your funds

    Prepare proof that you can pay tuition and living costs, in the form and for the period the country sets: bank statements, a loan sanction letter, a blocked account or a deposit.

  4. Step 4

    Complete health and identity checks

    Many countries ask for a medical or TB test, health insurance and biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a visa centre.

  5. Step 5

    Apply and pay the fee

    Apply online or at the embassy with every document, translated where needed, and pay the visa fee and any health charge.

  6. Step 6

    Wait for the decision

    Processing times differ by country and season. Book flights only after the visa is approved.

Not sure what to collect? The document checklist generator builds your list for your country, level and funding.

Common reasons student visas are refused

  • Funds not shown in the right form, or not held for the period the rules require
  • A study plan that does not explain why this course, this country and this university fit your background and career
  • Gaps in study or work with no explanation or proof
  • Documents that contradict each other, or that are false; false documents can lead to a ban from that country
  • English that is too weak for the course, or a test result the visa system does not accept
  • A course that does not follow on sensibly from your previous studies, with no clear reason

Interview and credibility tips

  • Know your course: its modules, length, fees and why it suits your earlier studies.
  • Explain your choice of university and country in your own words, not a memorised script.
  • Know where your money comes from and how much you have, and keep the papers with you.
  • Be honest about gaps, refusals or low marks; explain them with proof.
  • Talk about your plan after the course realistically, without promises you cannot back up.
  • Make sure your SOP, forms and documents tell the same story.

Student visa questions

When should I apply for my student visa?

As soon as you have the acceptance document from your university and your funds are ready. Each country sets how early you can apply; for example, the UK allows you to apply up to six months before your course starts. Check the country guide for the exact rule.

Can a consultant guarantee my visa?

No. Visa decisions are made only by the immigration authorities of each country. A good application is complete, honest and consistent, but no one can promise the result.

Do I need an interview?

Some countries or universities hold a short credibility interview to check that you are a genuine student. Be ready to explain your course, your university choice, your costs and your plans after study, in your own words.

What happens if my visa is refused?

Read the refusal letter carefully: it lists the reasons. You can usually apply again with stronger documents, and some countries allow a review or appeal. Talk to a counsellor before you reapply.

Official sources

The official visa pages behind each country guide.

United Kingdom

Australia

Canada

Ireland

Germany

New Zealand

Netherlands

Dubai (UAE)

Spain

Malta

Cyprus

Latvia

Lithuania

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