If you are travelling to Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland or New Zealand to study, you will most likely need a student visa. In this article, we will consider the features of student visas for each country.
Australia
In Australia, a Student Visa (Subclass 500) is issued to students who wish to study for more than three months. A visa can be issued for language courses, tertiary education programs and school education for children from 6 years old. Adult students are allowed to work no more than 40 hours a fortnight and 40 hours a week during vacations.
An Australian student visa allows you to come to study with a partner and children. Family members are included in the main student’s application and receive the same student visas.
Read more about student visas to Australia
The United Kingdom
In the UK, a student visa is issued to students aged 16 and over. There is a special Child Student visa for children from 4 to 17 years old wishing to study at school. On a student visa, the right to part-time work may be, but the number of hours is determined by the visa officer based on the training program.
Read more about UK student visas
Ireland
If your study period in Ireland is less than three months (90 days), then you will have a category C student visa (short stay). If the term of study is more than 90 days, then you need to apply for a student visa category D (long-term). On a long-term visa, you have the right to work 20 hours a week during training and 40 hours a week during holidays.
Read more about student visas to Ireland
Canada
In Canada, a Study Permit is issued for studies longer than six months. If your course is shorter, you can study with a travel visa. While studying at a university or college, a student can work up to 20 hours a week (and 40 hours a week during vacations). The decision to grant the right to part-time work is made by the visa officer at the border upon the student’s arrival in Canada.
In some cases, a student’s partner can apply for an Open Work Permit and children – for free schooling. The granting of this right depends on the student’s university – it must be a public college, a university or a private college with the right to award academic degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, doctor’s).
Read more about student visas to Canada
New Zealand
In New Zealand, a student visa is required if you are travelling to study for a course longer than 12 weeks. It can be language courses, vocational training or school education.
On a student visa, most 18+ students have the right to work 20 hours a week during the study and 40 hours a week during vacations. If a student is 16-17 years old, written permission for part-time work from the parents and the school is required.
In addition to the student visa, New Zealand also has a Limited Purpose visa. It differs from a regular student visa in that its owner cannot apply for another visa while in New Zealand. Upon completing the training, you will have to leave the country and apply for a new visa outside New Zealand. This option is not convenient for those who plan to continue their studies or apply for a work visa, but in general, the limited visa does not bear any negative consequences.
