Visas for study abroad

It’s essential to check and secure the necessary visa documentation for your host country as early as possible to avoid delays upon arrival.

However, please be aware you cannot apply for a student visa until you have been accepted at your host university.

Applying for your visa

To study abroad legally, you must obtain the appropriate student visa or residence permit for your host country.

EU passport holders studying in the EU, or those with a passport from the host country, may be exempt. If you're unsure about your situation, please email the Study Abroad team at outgoingstudyabroad@leeds.ac.uk.

Each country has distinct immigration requirements, which can vary widely. Your circumstances may differ from those of friends going to the same destination, but most students will follow similar steps in the visa application process.

Do your research

Consider the following questions:

How much will it cost?
Do I need to provide evidence of funding?
Could a criminal record affect my application?
Will I need to submit my passport during the application process?

Get your acceptance letter

You cannot apply for a student visa until you have been accepted at your host university. Your acceptance letter should arrive in time for you to complete your visa application.

You may also receive other essential documents, such as a DS-2019 for the USA or a Confirmation of Enrolment for Australia.

If any documents are sent to the University, we will contact you to confirm your address and send them through special delivery.

Prepare your application and book an appointment (if necessary)

Once you receive the necessary paperwork from your host university, schedule an appointment if needed. You may need to complete an application form, pay visa processing fees, and gather supporting documents.

Check the consulate’s estimated processing times and submit your application well in advance.

Help with your visa application

Immigration law is complex and frequently changes, varying by country. While the Study Abroad team cannot provide detailed visa advice, we can assist you by:

directing you to consular websites with application details, costs, and contact information
answering basic questions about paperwork and application processes
providing immigration information from your host university
helping you connect with relevant staff at your host university for further support.

Email the Study Abroad team at outgoingstudyabroad@leeds.ac.uk.

Visa processing fees

You may encounter several fees, including processing fees and costs for medical certificates. Please refer to the list below to review the requirements for each country.

Africa

Americas

Asia

Australia and Pacific

Supporting documents for visa applications

The documents you need to provide for your visa application will vary depending on the country where you plan to study. Here are some common requirements:

Acceptance letter, or certificate proving your student status at the university abroad

You will need an acceptance letter or certificate from your host university, confirming your student status. This document is usually sent to you via post or email well in advance, so do not schedule a visa appointment until you have received it.

Police certificate

For immigration purposes, you may need to obtain a police certificate showing your UK police record. This can be ordered online for a fee.

Medical certificate

Some countries require specific medical checks or a letter confirming your general good health. Be prepared to cover the costs of any certificates or letters, even if they are issued by your own GP.

Certain health checks, such as chest X-rays, can be expensive. GP surgeries may have long turnaround times for completing these documents, so it’s best to request them well in advance.

Evidence of your UK student status

The University of Leeds can provide a letter or certificate confirming that your study abroad is an approved part of your degree programme.

Legalising documents

You may need to have your UK-produced documents ‘legalised’ (often referred to as the ‘Hague Apostille’) to confirm their authenticity. This service incurs a charge.

Financial evidence for visa applications

Most countries require evidence of financial support when applying for a student visa, typically between May and September. However, if you're studying in the USA, Hong Kong, or certain Japanese universities, you may need to provide this evidence at the formal application stage, usually between January and March.

You generally cannot use your student loan as proof of funds for these applications, as you won't receive your loan statement in time. This does not prevent you from using the loan for expenses during your study abroad.

The required financial figures will be specified on your host country’s embassy website or provided by your host university. These amounts are often the minimum required, so it's wise to demonstrate access to as much funding as possible, considering fluctuating exchange rates.

While they may not reflect your total expenses, it’s advisable to budget for at least these amounts. Detailed cost breakdowns are usually available on your host university’s website or information sheets.

How to demonstrate financial evidence

Bank statements

The simplest way to prove your finances is by providing an original bank statement in your name, showing access to the required amount of funding. Here are key points to consider, and check with your host university's immigration adviser if needed:

You can combine statements from multiple bank accounts (e.g. current, savings, ISA) to meet the total required.
Bank statements in other people's names (e.g. parents, relatives) may be accepted, but you'll need to provide proof of your relationship and a letter from the account holder confirming the funds are available to you.
Accounts must generally be ‘instant access’, and statements should be original documents.
Online statements are sometimes acceptable but must include the account number, account holder's name, bank logo, and date. Screenshots of transactions are typically not accepted.
Statements must usually be less than three months old when you apply. If your bank only issues annual or quarterly statements, request additional ones in advance, allowing time for processing (which can take one to two weeks).
Some countries require funds to be in your account for a specified period. Check instructions carefully.

Bank letters

If you provide a bank letter, it should be on headed paper, ideally with a logo and stamp. The bank can include a clause stating they cannot guarantee the funds beyond the letter's date.

Student loans

Some countries accept your student loan statement as evidence of funds. Ensure it’s for the correct academic year (the year you’ll be abroad). We recommend reapplying for your student loan as soon as applications open, usually in early March, to ensure you have the statement in time for your visa application.

If you are applying to the USA, Hong Kong, or certain Japanese universities, you may not be able to use a student loan statement, as these universities require proof of funds before your loan statement is available.