Study Abroad With a Clearer Plan

Typical third-country student planning studies longer than six months.

1. Obtain admission
   Apply to the Austrian university or higher-education institution and obtain the admission or, where an entrance examination is required, conditional admission.
2. Prepare and legalise documents
   Assemble the residence-permit documents. Foreign public documents may need legalisation/authentication and certified German translation depending on the issuing country and competent authority.
3. Prepare residence evidence
   Prepare the required evidence for the student residence route, including passport, admission, financial means and health-insurance evidence; other documents may be required in the individual case.
4. Lodge the residence-permit application
   As a general rule, a first application is submitted personally before entry at the competent Austrian representation abroad. Certain applicants who may enter visa-free can have different filing options.
5. Residence authority decides in Austria
   The Austrian representation checks the file and forwards it to the competent residence authority in Austria for the substantive decision.
6. Obtain Visa D if required
   If the residence permit is approved and the applicant is visa-required, the Austrian representation is instructed to issue a Visa D so the student can enter Austria.
7. Enter Austria and complete local formalities
   Travel to Austria, register the local address within the required period and collect the residence permit from the competent authority.

Third-country students admitted to qualifying full-time studies or eligible preparatory studies.

1. Secure admission and meet study conditions
   Obtain the admission or student-status document, satisfy the institution's language requirement and pay tuition where payment is required.
2. Prepare supporting evidence
   Prepare passport, admission/student-status evidence, tuition-payment evidence, means of subsistence, accommodation and healthcare coverage, together with the required application material.
3. Submit the residence-permit application
   Visa-required applicants normally apply outside Hungary at the competent Hungarian diplomatic or consular mission. Visa-exempt applicants may have the option to apply during lawful stay in Hungary.
4. Complete biometrics and procedural requirements
   A facial photograph and fingerprints are taken for the residence document. Where an application is made through Enter Hungary, fee payment and biometric/signature recording are required for the application to be treated as received.
5. Wait for the immigration decision
   The National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing examines the application and may request further documents or clarification.
6. Receive entry visa approval where applicable
   For an application lodged abroad, a positive residence decision also authorises issuance of the single-entry D visa used to enter Hungary and receive the residence permit; no separate initial visa application is required.
7. Enter Hungary and receive the permit
   Enter within the validity allowed by the approval/entry visa. The study residence permit is delivered to the educational establishment.

Third-country students undertaking qualifying study normally for more than one year.

1. Obtain admission and identify the competent consulate
   Secure the qualifying study place and determine which Czech diplomatic mission is competent to receive the application.
2. Book the submission appointment
   Arrange the appointment according to the procedure of the competent Czech mission.
3. Prepare the long-term residence file
   Prepare the application and required supporting documents, including the study-purpose evidence and other documents required for the residence application.
4. Apply in person
   Lodge the long-term residence application personally at the competent Czech mission. The application is forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior for examination.
5. Complete interview/biometric requirements if requested
   The diplomatic mission or authorities may conduct procedural steps such as an interview. Biometrics are completed for the residence card as part of the post-approval process.
6. Receive the decision and arrange insurance
   After approval, complete any required proof of travel medical insurance before the entry visa is issued.
7. Collect the entry visa
   The Czech mission issues a single-entry long-term visa for the purpose of collecting the approved long-term residence permit.
8. Travel and complete residence-card formalities
   After arrival, report to the competent Ministry of the Interior office, provide biometric data and complete collection of the residence card.

Non-EU/EEA students admitted to qualifying degree, vocational or exchange studies.

1. Obtain a study place
   Receive admission to an educational institution for studies that qualify for a study residence permit.
2. Arrange finances and insurance
   Prepare proof of sufficient funds for the required period and qualifying insurance, together with tuition-payment or scholarship evidence where relevant.
3. Prepare and submit the application
   Complete the residence-permit application yourself, normally through Enter Finland, and attach the required documents.
4. Prove identity and give biometrics
   Visit a Finnish mission or the designated application centre to prove identity, present originals where required and provide fingerprints.
5. Wait for processing
   The Finnish Immigration Service processes the application after the identity visit and required attachments are in place.
6. Receive the decision and residence card
   After approval, the residence permit card is delivered according to the selected collection arrangement. In eligible cases, a D visa can allow travel before the physical residence card is collected.
7. Travel to Finland
   Enter Finland with the required travel and residence documentation and complete any institution or local arrival formalities.

Non-EU/EEA students finally admitted to qualifying full-time higher education.

1. Receive final full-time admission
   Obtain final admission to an on-site full-time programme. For fee-paying students, tuition must be paid before the student is treated as finally admitted for residence-permit purposes.
2. Arrange finances and insurance
   Prepare evidence that the maintenance requirement is met. Students studying for less than one year must also have or have applied for comprehensive health insurance unless covered by the institution.
3. Submit the residence-permit application
   Apply through the Swedish Migration Agency e-service where eligible, uploading the required passport, admission and financial/insurance evidence.
4. Present passport and provide biometrics
   The Migration Agency will instruct the applicant how to present the passport. Depending on eligibility this can involve a digital passport check or an appointment at a Swedish embassy/consulate; fingerprints and photograph are taken as required for the residence card.
5. Wait for the decision
   The Swedish Migration Agency assesses the application. A first-time residence permit normally needs to be issued before travel to Sweden.
6. Receive residence documentation
   After approval, visa-required applicants generally need the residence permit card available before travelling; applicants using a digital passport process may complete biometrics after arrival when permitted.
7. Travel and begin studies
   Enter Sweden once the required residence documentation is in place and complete university/local registration requirements.

Visa-required non-EEA students intending to study in Ireland for more than three months.

1. Obtain an eligible study offer
   Secure admission to the relevant course and meet the institution and immigration-policy requirements, including fee-payment conditions applicable to the case.
2. Prepare financial and supporting evidence
   Assemble the visa documents, including admission evidence, finances, academic/background documents and other supporting material required for the study-visa application.
3. Complete AVATS
   Create the long-stay study visa application through Ireland's AVATS system, complete the form fully and print, sign and date the generated summary form.
4. Pay the visa fee and submit documents
   Follow the instructions on the AVATS summary form for fee payment and submission of the passport and supporting documents to the relevant visa office or application channel.
5. Wait for the visa decision
   The visa officer assesses the case and may request further information or documentation.
6. Travel on the D visa
   If approved, travel to Ireland and present the passport, visa and supporting documents to the immigration officer at the port of entry.
7. Receive landing permission
   The border officer makes the entry decision and, if admitted, grants temporary landing permission.
8. Register immigration permission
   A non-EEA student staying more than 90 days must register the immigration permission after arrival within the applicable registration period and obtain the Irish Residence Permit where required.

International students admitted to a recognised-sponsor university or higher professional education institution.

1. Obtain admission with a recognised sponsor
   Be admitted or provisionally registered for an accredited full-time programme at an institution recognised by the IND as a sponsor.
2. Prepare the institution's immigration file
   Provide the documents requested by the institution. Official foreign documents may need legalisation and translation into Dutch, English, French or German.
3. Institution submits the application
   The recognised educational institution, not the student, submits the residence-permit application to the IND. Where an MVV is required, the institution applies for the MVV and residence permit together.
4. Pay the application cost through the institution
   The IND application fee is handled through the educational institution according to its procedure.
5. Wait for the IND decision
   The IND assesses the application and sends the decision to the educational institution.
6. Collect the MVV where required
   After a positive decision, applicants who require an MVV make an appointment at the Dutch representation named in the application to have the MVV sticker placed in the passport.
7. Travel to the Netherlands
   Enter the Netherlands using the MVV where required, or under the applicable visa-exempt arrangement.
8. Collect the residence permit
   When the residence card is ready, make an appointment at the IND desk to collect it. Complete a TB test after arrival if this was required in the application.

International students who require a visa to undertake higher education in Germany.

1. Obtain university admission
   Secure admission to a state-recognised higher-education institution or qualifying preparatory programme.
2. Arrange proof of financing
   Prepare accepted proof that living costs are covered, such as a blocked account, scholarship or declaration of commitment, as applicable.
3. Prepare visa evidence
   Assemble the passport, admission, financing, language and other documents required for the study-visa route.
4. Apply for the national study visa
   Submit the study-visa application through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal where available and follow the competent German mission's procedure for document and identity checks.
5. Complete the consular appointment/biometrics
   Attend the competent German mission or designated service channel for any required in-person identity, biometric and original-document procedures.
6. Wait for the visa decision
   The German authorities assess the application; depending on the case, domestic immigration authorities may be involved in the process.
7. Travel to Germany
   After visa approval, enter Germany within the visa validity and begin the local registration steps.
8. Register locally and obtain the residence permit
   Register the address and apply to the local foreigners authority for the residence permit for study before the entry visa or authorised stay expires.

Students aged 16 or over with a qualifying offer from a licensed student sponsor.

1. Receive an offer and CAS
   Obtain the qualifying course offer and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the licensed education provider.
2. Prepare the visa evidence
   Prepare the passport and CAS plus any evidence required for the case, which can include finances, English-language evidence, TB results, ATAS and consent documents.
3. Submit the online Student visa application
   Apply online within the permitted CAS/application window and pay the required visa and immigration-health charges.
4. Prove identity
   Follow the instruction generated by the application: either use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and photograph.
5. Provide any additional evidence/interview
   UKVI may request document verification, further information or an interview before deciding the application.
6. Receive the decision and eVisa
   If successful, the applicant receives the immigration decision and access to the digital eVisa through a UKVI account.
7. Link the travel document and travel
   Ensure the passport/travel document used for travel is linked to the UKVI account where required, then travel within the permission dates.
8. Comply with Student permission after arrival
   Begin studies with the sponsoring institution and comply with the conditions attached to Student immigration permission.

Non-EU students undertaking qualifying full-time higher education or doctoral study.

1. Obtain admission to qualifying studies
   Secure admission to qualifying full-time studies or doctoral education at an eligible Polish institution.
2. Prepare the study-visa documentation
   Prepare admission, passport, financial, insurance and other evidence required by the competent Polish consulate for a national D visa for studies.
3. Apply for the national D visa where required
   Visa-required applicants submit the national-visa application through the competent Polish consular process and complete the required appointment/biometric procedures.
4. Travel to Poland
   Enter Poland on the national study visa or other lawful basis that permits entry for the intended study period.
5. Prepare the temporary-residence application
   For a stay continuing beyond the visa period, prepare the application for a temporary residence permit for studies, including study-status, financial, insurance and other required evidence.
6. Apply during legal stay in Poland
   Submit the temporary-residence application to the competent Province Governor while lawfully present in Poland, following the required filing and in-person formalities.
7. Complete fingerprints and any deficiencies
   Provide fingerprints and correct any formal deficiencies or provide additional documents requested during the proceedings.
8. Receive the decision and residence card
   After a positive decision, complete the residence-card issuance and collection process.