Visa category guide
Student visas let you study full time at a recognised institution abroad. Exchange, short-course and training visas cover shorter academic stays. The admission letter opens the door, but proof of funds and a believable study plan decide the outcome.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-10-13
Typical stay
Course length — months to years
Work allowed?
Limited part-time on many routes
Key document
Admission / enrolment confirmation
After study
Some countries offer post-study work
Overview
Every student visa starts with an offer from an institution the destination recognises, followed by a confirmation document the visa system uses — for example a CAS in the UK, an I-20 in the US or a CoE in Australia.
Then comes money. You must show you can pay tuition and living costs, usually with bank balances held for a set period or an education loan sanction letter. Officers also assess whether you are a genuine student: why this course, why this country, and how it fits your past studies and plans.
Exchange and short-term study visas are lighter and often do not allow work. Training and internship visas sit between study and work and usually need a host organisation.
At a glance
Dark marker = this category. Light dots = the other 11 categories. Positions are a typical, qualitative comparison and vary by country.
Visas in this category
Open any guide for permitted activities, full documents, process steps, refusal reasons and FAQs.
Student Visa
Full-time study at a recognised school, college or university abroad.
Read guideShort-Term Study Visa
Short courses such as language programmes, summer schools or brief training.
Read guideExchange Visa
Participating in a recognised exchange programme between institutions or countries.
Read guideTraining / Internship Visa
Structured training or internship to gain practical, learning-focused experience.
Read guideFlowchart
The general path most applications in this category follow. Exact steps differ by country.
Is your course full time and longer than a few months?
Yes
Apply for a student visa
No
Look at short-term study or exchange options
Secure admission
Offer from a recognised institution; accept and pay any deposit.
Get the visa document
The CAS, I-20, CoE or equivalent from your university.
Prove funds
Bank balance held for the required period or loan sanction.
Apply & interview
Online form, biometrics, and an interview where required.
Travel & enrol
Arrive before the course start and register with the university.
Compare
| Visa | Best for | How you usually apply |
|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | Students admitted to a long-term academic or degree programme. | Application with an admission letter, funds proof and (often) a language test. |
| Short-Term Study Visa | Students taking a course that fits within the short-stay limit and is not a full degree. | Application with short-course enrolment proof and funds. |
| Exchange Visa | Students, researchers, trainees and participants in approved exchange schemes. | Sponsored application with a programme placement and sponsor documents. |
| Training / Internship Visa | Students, recent graduates and early-career professionals with a host placement. | Application with a host offer, training plan and sponsor documents where required. |
A Krosz visa expert can match your trip to the right category and checklist.
Documents
A starting checklist for this category. Your destination and visa type decide the final list.
Admission & visa document
Offer letter plus CAS / I-20 / CoE as applicable.
Proof of funds
Bank statements or education loan sanction.
Academic records
Mark sheets, degree certificates.
Language test
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo as accepted.
Statement of purpose
Your study plan and career reasons.
Health cover / medicals
Insurance or health surcharge, TB test where required.
Avoid refusals
For Indian passport holders
FAQ
Tell us where you're travelling and our visa experts will guide you on the right visa and documents.
Explore
Travel & visitor visas
Holidays, short stays and visiting family
Business visitor visas
Meetings, conferences and business trips
Work & skilled visas
Employment, sponsorship and skilled work
Nursing & care pathways
Named routes for nurses and care workers
Family & partner visas
Partners, spouses and eligible relatives
Investor & founder programs
Investment, startups and business ownership
Permanent residence
Settlement and long-term immigration
Transit visas
Travel through a country en route elsewhere
Digital nomad & remote work
Work online while living abroad
Protection & humanitarian
Humanitarian and protection pathways
Other named pathways
Specific roles and circumstances
Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Rules change — confirm the current requirements for your destination before applying. Last reviewed: 2026-10-13.
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