Guide · 6 min read
Student visas by country
The permission you will usually need, country by country, with the official place to check.
Almost every country requires international students to hold some form of permission to study, unless they are staying only briefly or are citizens of a country with free-movement rights. The rules depend on your nationality, the length of your course and sometimes the type of institution, so treat this page as a map, not a ruling. Always confirm the current requirements with the official sources we link and with your host university’s international office.
Four rules that apply almost everywhere
- You usually need an offer first. Most student visas require a letter of admission or a confirmation document from the host institution.
- Short stays can be different. Many countries let some nationalities study for up to 90 days without a student visa, but rules vary and some do not allow study on a visitor visa at all.
- Proof of funds is common. Expect to show that you can pay tuition and living costs, often through bank statements or a sponsor letter.
- Start early. Processing can take weeks or months, and some consulates require an in-person appointment.
Destination by destination
The table lists the permission most international students will need for a semester or longer, and the official government page or study portal to check. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland generally do not need a visa to study in another member country, though they may need to register locally.
| Country | Permission you will usually need | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Student residency | Ask the host university |
| Australia | Student visa (subclass 500) | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Austria | Residence permit for students | oead.at |
| Belgium | Long-stay visa for study | Official study portal |
| Brazil | Temporary student visa (VITEM IV) | Ask the host university |
| Canada | Study permit | canada.ca |
| Chile | Student visa or temporary residence | Ask the host university |
| China | X1 (long-term) or X2 (short-term) student visa | Official study portal |
| Colombia | Student visa (M visa for study) | Ask the host university |
| Costa Rica | Student residency (for stays over 90 days) | Ask the host university |
| Croatia | Temporary stay for study | Ask the host university |
| Cyprus | Student entry and residence permit | Ask the host university |
| Czech Republic | Long-term visa for study | Official study portal |
| Denmark | Residence permit for study | nyidanmark.dk |
| Estonia | Long-stay visa or residence permit | Official study portal |
| Finland | Residence permit for studies | migri.fi |
| France | Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) | france-visas.gouv.fr |
| Germany | National visa for study | make-it-in-germany.com |
| Ghana | Student visa or permit | Ask the host university |
| Greece | National visa for study (non-EU students) | Ask the host university |
| Hong Kong | Student visa or entry permit | Ask the host university |
| Hungary | Residence permit for study | Official study portal |
| Iceland | Residence permit for students | Ask the host university |
| India | Student visa | indianvisaonline.gov.in |
| Indonesia | Student visa (C316 or index-based permit) | Ask the host university |
| Ireland | Study visa or registration (Stamp 2) | irishimmigration.ie |
| Israel | A/2 student visa | Ask the host university |
| Italy | Type D study visa | vistoperitalia.esteri.it |
| Japan | Student status of residence | mofa.go.jp |
| Jordan | Visa on arrival, then student residency | Ask the host university |
| Kenya | Student pass | Ask the host university |
| Malaysia | Student pass (via EMGS) | educationmalaysia.gov.my |
| Malta | National visa for study (non-EU students) | Ask the host university |
| Mexico | Temporary resident student visa (for stays over 180 days) | Ask the host university |
| Morocco | Entry visa where required, then a residence card for study | Ask the host university |
| Netherlands | Residence permit for study (arranged by the institution) | ind.nl |
| New Zealand | Student visa | immigration.govt.nz |
| Norway | Study permit | udi.no |
| Peru | Student residence | Ask the host university |
| Philippines | Student visa (9F) or special study permit | Ask the host university |
| Poland | National visa for study | Official study portal |
| Portugal | Study visa (non-EU students) | vistos.mne.gov.pt |
| Singapore | Student's Pass | ica.gov.sg |
| South Africa | Study visa | Ask the host university |
| South Korea | D-2 student visa (D-4 for language study) | visa.go.kr |
| Spain | Student visa (for stays over 90 days) | Official study portal |
| Sweden | Residence permit for studies | migrationsverket.se |
| Switzerland | National visa and residence permit for study | Official study portal |
| Taiwan | Resident visa for study | Official study portal |
| Tanzania | Student pass | Ask the host university |
| Thailand | Non-immigrant ED visa | Ask the host university |
| Türkiye | Student visa, then residence permit | mfa.gov.tr |
| United Arab Emirates | Student residence visa sponsored by the university | Ask the host university |
| United Kingdom | Student visa | gov.uk |
| United States | F-1 or J-1 student visa | travel.state.gov |
| Vietnam | Student visa (DH) | Ask the host university |
Before you apply
Check your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay, keep copies of every document, and read the conditions attached to your visa, especially rules on working while you study. If anything is unclear, the international office at your host university is the best place to ask.