Questions about student visas during COVID-19 answered

The world we live-in was running at a fast pace until COVID-19 hit it hard and brought it to a standstill. The current situation has taken a toll on almost everything and talking about the international students in particular, well, they are left with some unanswered questions. The lockdown or the movement restriction has caused a lot of chaos and uncertainty about the student visas. Students are confused about whom to seek help from, and we, being responsible student counsellors want to guide them through this blog. We have tried to answer most frequently asked questions:

What happens if your student visa expires while on lockdown or if you head home?

1. Immigration departments are trying to sort the issues of students whose visas will be expiring soon. So, don’t worry and visit immigration department’s website to contact them. They will help you with the right solution.
2. According to reports, some countries may be approving the interim visas of students who are in the country and waiting for further visa applications to be approved.
3. In most of the countries across the world, travel is prohibited. But if you do leave or get evacuated and your student visa expires, reach out to embassy to know what you are suppose to do now.

What to do if you are approved by the university but your visa is pending?

Okay… so, you’ve applied to a university overseas but couldn’t apply for student visa due to the ongoing lockdown? In this case also embassies and consulates can help you out. They’ll guide you with the latest immigration procedures and processes – such as if there will be postponements to visa interviews and approvals or outright suspension of issuing visas at this time.

In case you have already been granted the visa, check with the university for new dates or the latest updates if any. They might be starting the session with online classes, so in order to not miss out on any such information, keep visiting the university website and also checking your emails.

Steps taken by other countries for international students

• US is allowing the schools for using online education. Students can opt for online learning now, as opposed to before when they could take only one online class per semester.
• Australia has relaxed the working hours for international students. Previously, they were allowed to work up to 40 hours every fortnight, now they can work for longer hours and help in keeping the economy on track.
• New Zealand is allowing students with expiring visas to apply for extensions which may be granted on a case-to-case basis.

If you want to know any other information about overseas study, contact Your EduAdvisors or call us at- 9899764422/9810133341.