Study abroad checklist: Get your visa

Visas are your permission to enter a foreign country for the purpose of studying. As an Omani your chances of being granted a visa are very good, but it's still very important that your paperwork is submitted correctly.

Generally, it is easy to get a student visa once you have a confirmed offer from a university in that country. You will usually need to provide proof of identity and proof of your offer at their embassy or immigration centre.

UK "Student visas" (which used to be called Tier 4 Visas) apply to any long term study. You can apply for the visa from 6 months before your starting date and after you have been accepted into a UK university.

Generally, American universities are part of a government programme called SEVIS. Once you receive an offer from an American university, it will provide you with an I-20 document ("Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status") to prove your eligibility for a visa. You should keep this safe throughout your entire degree.

You can use this document to apply for your visa, pay the processing fee and enter the country.

As soon as you receive your I-20, you should start your visa application.

When studying in the EU, you will need a Student Schengen Visa. You can obtain this from the Embassy or Consolate of the destination country in or near Oman, and sometimes through third party countries like VFS Global.

EU Guidance on how to apply for a Student Schengen VisaEurpopa.eu (external)