Before you go anywhere, you'll need the correct visa.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country you are entering. Most countries require you to have a student visa in order to study there. Make sure you get organised early, or you could miss out! As consular issues are constantly changing, UQ Abroad is not able to provide visa advice.
One
Research all the requirements and get everything ready. You should contact the relevant consulate or embassy in Australia well before your departure to find out full details about how to obtain the correct visa. A list of country consulates/embassies is available at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You may also want to speak to your travel agent. Some agents will obtain your visa for you for a fee.
Two
Wait for your acceptance letter from your host university. This will be required to apply for your visa and as this can take a few months to arrive, you have plenty of time to prepare all other documents. Check the website of the consulate and try to prepare as much documentation as possible. Some consulates require proof of funds, police checks or other documentation – you will need to present all the required documents in order to get your visa. This includes ensuring you have a current passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months longer than the duration of your trip.
Three
Apply to the consulate/embassy for your visa. UQ Abroad advises not to apply for a visa until you have your official acceptance from both UQ and your host university. It is best to prepare as many documents for your visa as possible before your acceptance arrives, so you are well prepared when it is time to make your visa application.
Other important things to know
In some cases, the visa process can be quite complicated and may require a trip to Sydney for a face-to-face interview. Please include all visa-related costs when working out your exchange budget.
If your flights are through a third country, you may be required to have a transit visa. To find out about exemptions for a US transit visa, click here.