Vibha Kagzi embodies everything that ReachIvy.com stands for. From being a pioneer in the education field to authoring several articles and a book, she has broken the glass ceiling and established herself as a doyen in the field of education. Vibha holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University. She has also studied at the University of California (Berkeley), London School of Economics, Indian School of Business and Xavier’s Institute of Communications. She is a certified Leadership coach at Coach for Life, USA. A case study she published at Harvard for the Negotiations Department has been incorporated into the teaching curriculum at the school.
Many students dream of studying abroad and eventually making a career there. Migrating to a new country comes with a set of caveats in terms of visa regulations and other rules that aspiring students need to keep in mind. The US, UK, Canada, Germany and many more top the list of students’ preferred study abroad destinations. We look at the rules for some of them.
USA
- When the Department of State issues you an F or M student visa, you are going to the US to study. You cannot participate in any activity that strays from this purpose.
- Most international students receive an F1 visa, which is intended for non-immigrant students. While these students are allowed to work, it is permissible only under select conditions and in compliance with the rules of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is usually the most accessible followed by four types of off-campus jobs.
- Students can work off-campus only during the summer after the first year of their degree.
Canada
- With a study permit in Canada, you must be enrolled at a designated learning institution, except if you’re exempt.
- You must also be actively pursuing your studies unless you are enrolled full- or part-time in a semester, you are progressing in your coursework, and you may not take a leave longer than 150 days from your course.
- If you cease to meet the requirements of being a student or your permit expires, you will have to leave the country.
- You must also check for what else the permit allows: the level of studies, if you’re allowed to work either on or off campus, if you have to report medical procedures, if you can travel within Canada, and by when you must complete your studies.
UK
- Make sure your finances are in place. Depending on your circumstances and the visa you apply for, you will need to manage those expenses accordingly. The same amount of funds needed to apply for a visa should also be accessible. This proof of accessibility should also be recent and stable.
- If you have a student loan or scholarship with which you are going to study in the UK, you will also have to supply that as proof.
- There are many reasons why a visa application may be rejected: not meeting basic rules, missing documents, providing photocopies instead of originals.
Germany is also a top choice for students when it comes to studying abroad, pandemic no bar. ReachIvy.com suggests getting started on your visa applications early on when you have the acceptance letter. This provides adequate room to plan accommodation, work opportunities, and even get an idea of how long you can extend your stay after you complete your degree. Depending on the country, getting a work opportunity with a sponsored visa also means that you can continue staying there without worrying about breaching the rules of your student visa.
Whether it is to further your knowledge and career or gain global exposure, the reasons to study abroad are several. Pick your reason and get ready to set off.