Europe Study Visa: A Complete Guide In 2023

Europe Study Visa – Each year thousands of Indian students move abroad for higher education. Studying in a developed country will improve your chances of employment and lifestyle. 

When it comes to selecting a country for your stay abroad, there are many options. Most students prefer an English-speaking country because it is more convenient for them, but some also choose non-English-speaking countries. 

Europe is a continent that has both English and non-English-speaking countries, and most of these countries are connected by their membership in the European Union. 

This has been set up to allow easy trade and travel between European nations. You need a European Schengen study visa to study in a European country. 

This is necessary for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who want to study in Europe. This visa applies to all Schengen countries. Visa processes are often confusing and tiring, but you must follow all the steps carefully to ensure a smooth stay. 

This blog will discuss the application procedures, required documents, and other questions regarding the Europe study visa. 

Application Procedure For The Study Visa For Europe

The application procedure for the study visa needs to be followed precisely. Below are the steps that you have to follow to apply for a Europe study visa:

• Check if you need a student visa for your studies. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may not need a study visa for your course in the country you plan to go to. If you are a third-country national, you will need a student visa. 
• Go to the nearest embassy of the country you want to study in and ask them for the visa application form for a short-term stay. You can also contact the visa office via E-mail. 
• Identify the best time to submit your application. To be on the safe side, submit the visa application at least 4 weeks before the start of your stay. This will help you to correct any mistakes or collect any further documents that may be asked of you. 
• Collect all the supporting documents for the study visa. The list of the documents needed to be submitted with the application form is given below. 
• Set up an appointment in the visa office to submit your application and note the date given for the visa interview.
• Give the visa interview and pay the application fees.
• Collect the receipt and wait for a response. They might contact you via email or text message.

Also read: How to study in Germany without IELTS

Documents Required For Europe Study Visa

Several documents are to be collected and submitted with the application form to obtain a student visa. All these documents have certain specificities that you need to follow. Below is a list of all the documents you need. 

I have also mentioned the important points that you need to keep in mind while collecting those documents. 

Application form

The first document you need for the Europe study visa is an application form. You can download it from the official website of the EU. This application form is free. You need to ensure all the details are correct otherwise, you will face a rejection and may be blocked from further application for giving false information. 

Passport size photo

You need to submit 2 identical passport-size photos. These photos should be formal and taken within the last 3 months. The photo size must be at least 35 x 45 mm, and 80% face should be visible or in focus.

Valid passport

The passport should be issued within the last 10 years. It should be valid for at least 3 months after the end of your stay in Europe. You also need a copy of your passport’s biometric data.

If you have any previous passports, then submit them too. Tie all of them together with a rubber band. Never staple your passport. 

Residency proof

You need documents to prove that you are a legal citizen of the country you are applying from. You can check if the visa office accepts an Aadhar card as valid proof of being a resident of India. If they ask you to submit more documents, then do that too. 

Roundtrip reservation

You will have to submit your flight tickets for your arrival and departure. They need to know the total entries and exits you will take from the Schengen area after entering. 

Health insurance

Most students are confused about the health insurance they need for a Europe study visa. Your health insurance should be issued by a company that is Europe based. It should cover the entire Schengen area, i.e., valid in all the Schengen countries. It should also provide you with a cover of at least EUR 30,000 in case of an emergency. 

Proof of accommodation

The European visa office needs to know where you will stay during your European studies. You may choose to live in a dormitory, on rent, or at a relative’s place who is willing to accommodate you. 

If you will stay in a dormitory, submit the official contract between you and the dormitory official. If you are staying on rent, you need to submit the rent agreement with all the necessary information. 

If you are going to stay at someone’s home, you need a letter of invitation stating that they are willing to accommodate you. 

Letter of acceptance

Your Europe study visa aims to study a course in Europe. Thus you need to submit the acceptance letter from the university stating all the required information like the program description, the number of hours it requires per week, the length of the course, etc. 

Academic record

You also need to submit proof of all your academic records. This can be a Diploma/Degree/any other relevant academic qualification that you may have. 

Proof of Financial support

You need to show the visa office that you can financially support yourself during your stay in Europe. A scholarship, bank account statement, or sponsorship can prove this. If you have a scholarship, it should pay you at least EUR 631/ month to be considered financial proof. 

Lastly, you need the fee receipt to prove that you have paid the visa application fees. 

If you are employed, then you need to submit some more documents. These are as below:

• You must submit the employment contract with all the relevant information.
• You will also need to submit leave permission from your employer to ensure that your studies in Europe are not negatively affecting you. 
• Lastly, you need to submit your Income Tax Return.
• If you are self-employed, submit a copy of your business license, company bank statement, and income tax returns.

Also read: English speaking countries in Europe

Best Time To Apply For A Europe Study Visa

The processing of your application takes time, and thus you need to submit your application to avoid any delays. The earliest you can submit your application is 3 months before your stay. 

If, in any case, you aren’t able to submit your applications months prior, you will have to submit them at least 15 days prior. I recommend you submit your application at least 1 month before your arrival date in the country. 

Processing Time For Student Visa

Usually, you will get a response, either positive or negative, from the visa office within 15 days of your application. However, in rare cases, this period may extend to 30 days or more. 

Extension of short-term study visa

The Europe study visa can be extended only in rare cases. This may include any personal or emergency reason that requires you to stay where you are and not travel. This can also include a case of late entry. 

However, this is impossible if you wish to continue studying in Europe and need an extension. You can only stay in Europe for 3 months with a short-term study visa. If you need to stay for a longer term, then you can apply for a long-term visa. 

Also Read: Malta Study Visa

Working with a Europe study visa

The motive of your study visa is to pursue a course or program in Europe. This means that all your time should be devoted to your studies. 

Thus, you are not allowed to work with a student visa. You cannot work either part-time or full-time even to support your studies. You may get some working hours when you apply for a long-term study visa. 

Conclusion

European countries are the best when it comes to innovation and technology. You will find several attractive short-term courses and programs in European countries which can elevate your career graph. 

Various universities offer these courses, and international students are always welcome. You need a short-term Europe study visa to stay in Europe during your studies. 

The visa application procedures are often confusing and tiring. You need to be sure of every step of the application. In this blog, we discussed all the relevant information regarding the Schengen study visa. 

You can always contact the embassy for specific information if unclear. Contact our experts if you have questions about this blog or a European study visa. 

Keep visiting CourseMentor™ for more interesting and informative content like this. All the best for your studies!

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