Latest Student Visa Updates: Study Abroad

April 2021

With borders gradually opening across the globe, students looking to study abroad can now fly to their study abroad destinations. However, in order to be able to do so, students are required to possess a student visa. India currently has bilateral air bubble agreements with certain destinations, meaning individuals can travel to and from those destinations, amidst certain restrictions. This list encapsulates a range of top study overseas destinations such as the UK, the USA and Canada.

Students are rejoicing the same since this enables them to travel to their study destination. This coupled with the support offered by universities abroad, students are about to have a comfortable study abroad experience.

If you too are looking to fly to your study destination, here are the latest student visa updates.

UK

Students who are currently studying online will be eligible for their post-study work rights provided they are in the UK by a stipulated date. Earlier, given the Graduate Immigration Route, for the Post Study Work Visa, students had to arrive in the UK before April 2021, but the date has been changed to 21st June 2021.
International students are advised not to travel to the UK unless their course demands them to do so. Universities in UK along with the government are ensuring that the needs of international students are met.
UK Visa Processing Centres in major cities in India are currently open and are processing applications.
5th October 2020 onwards, a new Points Based System for student visas was brought into force which made the student visa application process smooth.

USA

Students looking to study at colleges or universities in USA are required to possess an F Visa. Students looking at vocational courses in USA need an M Visa.
Students holding a valid student visa will be permitted to travel to the USA. The Embassy has begun limited processing of all visas which includes student visas too.
With the newly brought in flexibility in the OPT, the 14 months will be calculated from the date of approval of Form I-765 if you apply for OPT between 1 October 2020 and 1 May 2021. Since there is a delay in offering OPT to the student, flexibility has been brought into the picture.

Canada

Students currently pursuing their courses online are eligible for their Post Graduation Work Permit in Canada.
Colleges and Universities in Canada are looking to kickstart their in-person classes. Their ability to do so depends on the regulations brought in place by the competent authority.
Canada Visa Application Centres in India are open and have begun issuing visas to students. As mentioned earlier, since India has a bilateral agreement with Canada, students can fly to the destination and study.
Passengers will have to take a COVID-19 PCR test at the airport. This will be followed by a 3-day quarantine at any hotel authorised by the Canadian government.

Australia

Student visas to study in Australia are being issued. This means that once borders open, students will be able to attend their classes in person.
If students held a student visa on or after the 1st of February 2020 and couldn't complete their studies due to Covid-19 related issues, they can apply for a visa again, without paying the fees.
The Australian government has confirmed that student visa holders in Australia will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine for free.

Making student visa applications can be a challenging prospect for students. But with the assistance of India's Leading Overseas Education Consultants, Edwise the process is seamless. Get in touch with us today.

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