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StudyGlobal strives to provide you with the most precise and sufficient information in order to make your language program abroad a success. Selected information on the visa regulations for various destinations and nationalities are listed below. However, please be aware that those regulations can change and only apply to certain nationalities.
At all times, it is the CUSTOMER’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain the correct visa and apply for it in time in order to enter the desired country. StudyGlobal cannot be held responsible for any visa issues.
StudyGlobal cooperates with language schools worldwide which are experienced in supporting your visa application and providing all necessary documents. However, StudyGlobal and the associated schools do not offer a full VISA service. The latest information can usually be obtained from the embassy of the particular destination in your own country.
Be AWARE that, in most countries, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months with regard to your scheduled return date.
Next to the visa requirements you may also have to check on health requirements, such as vaccinations on diseases, such as Hepatitis A and B or if you are entering from a yellow fever region.
Information is presently available for the following countries:
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Argentina
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EU passport holders can enter Argentina without any visa for up to 3 months. You just enter Argentina as a tourist. If you plan to stay longer, you can still enter as a tourist, but will need to extend your stay at the local migration office, the latest 30 days after your course start. You will need a confirmation from the school, a valid passport, a local police clearance certificate and a police clearance certificate from your home country if you plan to stay longer than 6 months.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Argentina via the USA.
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Australia
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Independent of your nationality you will need a visa. If you are staying less than 3 months you may be able obtain an eVisitor Visa at:www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/visitors.htm if you come from one of the following countries:
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eVisitor Visa eligible nationalities:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Republic of San Marino
Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom - British Citizen, Vatican City. |
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| If you are not eligible for an eVisitor Visa (if your nationality is not on the list above), but you are willing to stay longer than 3 months or want to work while staying in Australia, you have a broad choice of other visas.
Please see the Australian Visa Wizard for a detailed list of your choices (you do not necessarily need to select "study" as a purpose at "1. Why do you want an Australian visa?" if you are joining one of our language courses).
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Australia via the USA.
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Can I change my visa in Australia?
Yes. It is now possible to apply on-shore for a visa change. However, for some nationalities, this is not possible. It is essential to check with the Department of Immigration in your nearest Australian embassy to obtain full details. Restrictions also apply for some nationalities with regard to visa extensions - again, check with the Australian embassy for full details. The procedure and costs for processing the visa change are the same as if you did it in your home country. |
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Can I work whilst I am in Australia?
Yes, providing you have a Student Visa that allows you to work up to 20 hours per week. You can also work with a Working Holiday Visa, however, no work is permitted if you have a Tourist or Visitor Visa. |
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Austria
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| Please see the EU countries information.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants .
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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Canada
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For most EU citizens (Germany, France, Poland, etc.) no visa is required (but a recently published passport with biometric data), for a stay limited in time, other citizens may need one though (Czech Republic, …). Most other nationalities will need a visa as well. To find out about the up to date regulations also concerning the exact passport requirements see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/.
If you are eligible to enter Canada without a visa you will only fill in a form at the Canadian customs. Without a visa, the maximum duration of your stay will be 6 months. See further details below.
For further details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Canada via the USA.
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To visit Canada without a visa, the following applies:
You must:
- have a valid travel document, such as a passport
- be in good health
- satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family that will take you back to your country of origin
- satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit and
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have enough money for your stay. The amount of money you will need can vary with the circumstances of the visit, the duration of your stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives. For more information, ask the Canadian visa office in your country or region or contact our travel consultants.
Note: A visa exemption does not guarantee your automatic entry into Canada. You must still satisfy an immigration officer that you are admissible as per the requirements that were stated above. If you do not, you may not be allowed to enter Canada.
If you are planning to stay longer, you will need to obtain a visa at your local Canadian embassy, regardless of your nationality, at which you need to present a valid passport and a flight ticket home or onwards.
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Chile
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EU passport holders can enter Chile without any visa for up to 90 days. Upon arrival you will receive a tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo), which you will have to return at your departure. You can extend this tourist card for another 90 days at the ’Departamento de Extranjería’ in Santiago or at the local ’Goberanación Provincial’.
For details on visa regulations for other nationalities see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants .
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Chile via the USA.
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China
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In order to enter China you will need some form of visa at all times. Many nationalities can enter on a Tourist Visa, which is valid for a maximum of 30 days and issued the earliest 50 days prior to departure as it is only valid for 3 months upon the issuing date. Further you will need a passport which is at least valid for 6 months past your planned return date, an accommodation confirmation from your tour operator and a valid ticket with a destination outside of China. At most times you will be able to extend your visa inside China. The handling time is rather short and often only takes a week.
UPON ARRIVAL you will need to register at a local police station. Details will be handed out to you by our partner language school in China.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to China via the USA.
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Costa Rica
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For most EU citizens the entry to Costa Rica is possible without a visa. All you need is a valid passport (still valid for 6 months with regard to your scheduled return date), a valid departure ticket with a destination outside of Costa Rica and an adequate amount of money to assure your living cost.
Please be reminded, that you will have to pay an airport fee of USD 26,- (or equivalent in Costa Rican Colon – CRC) upon departure.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Costa Rica via the USA.
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Cuba
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Many European passport holders can enter Cuba with a “Tourist Card”, which you need to present along with your passport upon arrival. The “Tourist Card” is valid for 30 days and costs around EUR 25. You can obtain at your local tourist office or at the embassy.
If you want to stay longer and are for example a German national, you will need to obtain a visa for an “academic exchange”. In order to be granted such a visa, you will need an invitation letter from our language school as well as an individual number. This visa will be valid for 30 days and can then be extended via our language school at the migrations office. Upon arrival all documents (passport, ...) need to be valid for at least another 6 months.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Cuba via the USA.
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Ecuador
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| For most European passport holders an entry is possible without any visa. Upon arrival you will need to present a passport which is valid for at least 6 more months, valid departure tickets with a destination outside of Ecuador and proof of sufficient funding to pay for your cost of living.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Ecuador via the USA.
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EU countries
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Most EU countries have a common visa regulation for nationals from outside the EU. If you are a passport holder of an EU country, you will not need any visa at all.
Should you have a valid visa for one EU country (e.g. Russians with a visa for Finland, you may be allowed to travel within the EU).
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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France
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| Please see the EU countries information.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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Germany
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| Please see the EU countries information.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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Guatemala
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| For most EU and US citizens there is no visa necessary for a stay of up to 3 months. If you want to stay longer you can apply for a visa at your local embassy where you will have to present a passport which is valid for 6 more months after leaving Guatemala, a round trip ticket, international birth certificate, income tax statement (or similar), bank account records, internship contract or proof by the language school, completed visa application form and a police clearance certificate translated into Spanish.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Guatemala via the USA.
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Ireland
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| Please see the EU countries information.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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Italy
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| Please see the EU countries information.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants .
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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Mexico
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| If you arrive by plane, most EU and US citizens will be handed a “Tourist Card” (FMT) by the airline. Please make sure that at least the length of the stay is stated on it. You can extend your Tourist Card up to 6 months at the Instituto Nacional de Migración.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Mexico via the USA.
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New Zealand
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| EU nationals do not need a visa if they participate in a language course up to 3 months. If you are willing to stay longer, you will need to apply for a visa at your local New Zeeland embassy. You will need to proof a valid casualty and international health insurance.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to New Zealand via the USA.
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Peru
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| Most nationalities, including EU citizens, will need to apply for a student visa at their local embassy if they are going to participate in a language course or unpaid internship. The visa will be issued at the local embassy and be valid for 90 days. It can be extended for up to one year at the local immigration office.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Peru via the USA.
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Russia
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In order to enter Russia you need a visa at all times. The regulations mainly depend on your nationality and the intention of your stay. You will need an invitation letter and maybe further documents. Our partner school will support you with all necessary documents.
Further you will need to proof a valid health insurance and present a recent passport with biometric data. The process can take up to 8 weeks. Please allow a reasonable amount of time when planning your trip to Russia.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Russia via the USA.
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Spain
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| Please see the EU countries information.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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South Africa
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| Many nationalities, including EU citizens, can enter for up to 90 days without a visa. For a language course that lasts more than 3 months, you will need a “study permit”, which can be applied for at your local embassy.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to South Africa via the USA.
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United Kingdom
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The UK distinct between three different types of nationalities for which different visas are relevant.
- European Economic Area (EEA) & Swiss Citizens do not need a visa at all.
- Visa nationals – you are required to get one of visas described below before leaving your country (pre-entry clearance).
- Non-visa nationals – you are required to get a visa but you can get a Child or Student Visitor Visa on arrival in the UK. If you want a General Student Visa (age 16 or over) you must get it before leaving home (pre-entry clearance).
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Visas
There are four different types of Visas for "Visa Nationals" and "Non - Visa Nationals" relecant when taking a language course in the United Kingdom. As explained above the difference is the point in time when you need to apply for those visas. The four different visa and application processes are explained in detail below.
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Child Visitor Visa (CVV)
Child Visitor Visa (CVV) is designed for students between 4 and 17 years, which are staying up to 6 month.
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Student Visitor Visa (SVV)
The SVV is designed for students of 18 years and older which want to participage in a language courses for up to 6 months.
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General Student Visa (GSV), also known as Adult Student Visa
The GSV is designed for students of 16 years and older, which plan to stay/study for more than 6 month.
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Visitor Visa
Non-visa nationals can get this visa on arrival in the UK if they are coming for tourism only, but it is not suitable for students who wish to study. Students who are visa or non-visa nationals (see above) should ensure they get a SVV (CSV or GSV) when they arrive in the UK.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Europe via the USA.
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United States
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To enter the USA (to stay or for transit), you must have permission from the U.S. government at all times to enter the country. The permissions can be distinguished between two major concepts.
- Some kind of visa issued from the American embassy or consulate in your home country
- A visa waiver, where agreements between the U.S. government and your country (passport related) exist, which allows short term visits (usually max. 90 days) to the U.S. without a visa
To determine which process applies to you, first check if your country is participating in the visa waiver program.
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Visa Waiver eligible.
This section shows which visa you will need to obtain given you are eligible of a visa waiver.
How to obtain the according visa is explained further below.
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| Course length and stay |
Course intensity |
Entry type |
| Less than 90 days |
Less than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Visa Waiver |
| More than 90 days |
Less than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Any visa other than student visa * |
| Less than 90 days |
More than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Student Visa |
| More than 90 days |
More than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Student Visa |
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*The main purpose of your travel needs to be business or pleasure. Entry can be denied by U.S. customs officers upon arrival.
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Non Visa Waiver eligible.
This section shows which visa you will need to obtain given you are not eligible of a visa waiver.
All Non Visa Waiver eligible nationalities are recommended to book a course of more than 1080 minutes (18h) per week (marked as I-20 eligible) in order to obtain a student visa (with which we can offer support) instead of a tourist or business visa!!! These courses are often available at the same price.
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| Course length and stay |
Course intensity |
Entry type |
| Less than 90 days |
Less than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Any visa other than student visa *
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| More than 90 days |
Less than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Any visa other than student visa * |
| Less than 90 days |
More than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Student Visa |
| More than 90 days |
More than 1080 minutes (18h) / week |
Student Visa |
| *The main purpose of your travel needs to be business or pleasure. Entry can be denied by U.S. customs officers upon arrival. |
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Venezuela
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If you are entering Venezuela through an airport, most European citizens (such as Germany) will be able to enter the country with a travel card, which is handed out in the airplane and needs to be handed back upon departure. It is usually valid for at least 60 days (depending on the customs officer). This travel card needs to be at hand at all times along with your valid passport (at least valid for 6 more months upon the latest possible return date) to proof your legal permit status at all times.
Changes to these regulations can happen very quickly and without proper notification of your local foreign affairs office. Always check with the local embassy of Venezuela before your departure for the latest regulations.
If you are entering via port or land, you still need a visa.
Please be aware, that you will need to pay a departure fee at the airport of 145,00 Bolivares (or the equivalent in USD). This fee is to be paid separately at a dedicated booth at the airport.
For details on visa regulations for your nationality see Embassyworld.org or contact our travel consultants.
Please be aware of US transit regulations if you are flying to Venezuela via the USA.
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