Is it difficult to get a student Visa to study a different subject/ course abroad?
Author: Vandana Post Date: 12 Jun 2023
Are you serious?! Why on earth would you want to switch to a different course that is altogether different from the one that you have got admission to? You really need to be very clear at the outset itself about the course and subjects you want to pursue abroad.
Let's consider the path heading to a US university. You spent months appearing for various required tests, slogged over your Statement of Purpose (SOP), filled in the application, got the offer of admission, filled in the multiple pages of the I-20 form, applied for the student visa for USA, went for the Visa interview, and, finally, boarded the flight to your destination. Think of all these processes and the time and effort you have put in, not to mention that if you have not got a scholarship, likely your parents are paying for the flight, the course tuition, and giving you extra for additional expenses.
Anyway, if perhaps you find the course very intimidating or not really something that you thought would help your career path or for some other reason you want to abandon it, perhaps I can give a little first-hand information here. Both of my friend's daughters studied in the USA at different universities and on seeing this query, I asked her about it. Here's what she informed me about switching courses in the USA-
In the first place, as you will know when applying for and getting the Visa, the Visa form will indicate the course for which you got admission, so when you switch to another course, the new Visa will then reflect the new course of study.
Coming to the topic of switching courses, my friend said yes, you can do so if there are seats available in the program that you wish to switch to and the university's norms permit it. Naturally, you are also expected to meet the eligibility criteria for the new course. The best way to start the switch and get things right is to contact your university's Academic/Admissions officials/Counsellors to clarify details about (a) switching to another course within the same University or (b) switching to another University in the USA, whichever is applicable. You also need to find out if the credits (if any) that you got for the modules that you completed in the current course can be transferred to the other course within/outside the university. If you simply want to switch to another module within the same course, then I think perhaps there will be no major issue with the student visa as such (but do ask your university about this).
Keep in mind that the sooner you switch to the new course the better, because all programs start without much delay when the academic term starts. In some programs, too, assignments given by faculty may begin early, so you will need to buck up and quickly stay updated on what has already been taught in the program that you are switching to. So don't dilly-dally!
Keep in mind that what I have stated here is with reference to studying abroad in the USA. Similarly, you need to find out the rules and regulations about student visas vis-à-vis switching subjects or courses as per the directive of the Department of Education or the Council of Education or whichever is the official authority governing education in that country.
Naturally, don't do anything covert. Go strictly by the book to avoid heavy fines or, even worse, getting your name into some police database for infringing the laws and getting deported with no chance of ever returning to that country, not even as a tourist. For example, when studying in Canada, the information that I came across is that if you wish to study beyond the expiry date of the study permit (this date will be given on the study permit itself), you must apply for a study permit extension at least 30 days prior to that. If you do not apply for an extension, then you must leave the country. So take care every step of the way in switching to a new course when you study abroad.
Are you serious?! Why on earth would you want to switch to a different course that is altogether different from the one that you have got admission to? You really need to be very clear at the outset itself about the course and subjects you want to pursue abroad.
Let's consider the path heading to a US university. You spent months appearing for various required tests, slogged over your Statement of Purpose (SOP), filled in the application, got the offer of admission, filled in the multiple pages of the I-20 form, applied for the student visa for USA, went for the Visa interview, and, finally, boarded the flight to your destination. Think of all these processes and the time and effort you have put in, not to mention that if you have not got a scholarship, likely your parents are paying for the flight, the course tuition, and giving you extra for additional expenses.
Anyway, if perhaps you find the course very intimidating or not really something that you thought would help your career path or for some other reason you want to abandon it, perhaps I can give a little first-hand information here. Both of my friend's daughters studied in the USA at different universities and on seeing this query, I asked her about it. Here's what she informed me about switching courses in the USA-
In the first place, as you will know when applying for and getting the Visa, the Visa form will indicate the course for which you got admission, so when you switch to another course, the new Visa will then reflect the new course of study.
Coming to the topic of switching courses, my friend said yes, you can do so if there are seats available in the program that you wish to switch to and the university's norms permit it. Naturally, you are also expected to meet the eligibility criteria for the new course. The best way to start the switch and get things right is to contact your university's Academic/Admissions officials/Counsellors to clarify details about (a) switching to another course within the same University or (b) switching to another University in the USA, whichever is applicable. You also need to find out if the credits (if any) that you got for the modules that you completed in the current course can be transferred to the other course within/outside the university. If you simply want to switch to another module within the same course, then I think perhaps there will be no major issue with the student visa as such (but do ask your university about this).
Keep in mind that the sooner you switch to the new course the better, because all programs start without much delay when the academic term starts. In some programs, too, assignments given by faculty may begin early, so you will need to buck up and quickly stay updated on what has already been taught in the program that you are switching to. So don't dilly-dally!
Keep in mind that what I have stated here is with reference to studying abroad in the USA. Similarly, you need to find out the rules and regulations about student visas vis-à-vis switching subjects or courses as per the directive of the Department of Education or the Council of Education or whichever is the official authority governing education in that country.
Naturally, don't do anything covert. Go strictly by the book to avoid heavy fines or, even worse, getting your name into some police database for infringing the laws and getting deported with no chance of ever returning to that country, not even as a tourist. For example, when studying in Canada, the information that I came across is that if you wish to study beyond the expiry date of the study permit (this date will be given on the study permit itself), you must apply for a study permit extension at least 30 days prior to that. If you do not apply for an extension, then you must leave the country. So take care every step of the way in switching to a new course when you study abroad.
Author: DR.N.V. Srinivasa Rao Post Date: 18 May 2023
Students can continue their further studies in the same university after completing the present course. But you should apply for a fresh VISA or for an extension of the existing VISA.
Getting VISA is not easy in some countries. But in some countries, it is not difficult. One can apply for a VISA only after getting a seat in a particular course and you received an offer letter.
A student should remember that without getting an extension or fresh VISA, one should not continue his stay in that country. That will be an offence and you may be punished.
In some countries, they will allow the students to apply from that country itself. But some will ask the student to apply from the country of his origin.
For example, if you are studying at a university in the UK, you are allowed a fresh VISA or for extension from the UK itself if the gap between your current visa expiring and your new course start date is not more than 28 days. If it is mother than 28 days you have to apply from your own nation. The process will be the same as that of the first VISA and you have to follow the system as mentioned by the VISA office in our country.
Students can continue their further studies in the same university after completing the present course. But you should apply for a fresh VISA or for an extension of the existing VISA.
Getting VISA is not easy in some countries. But in some countries, it is not difficult. One can apply for a VISA only after getting a seat in a particular course and you received an offer letter.
A student should remember that without getting an extension or fresh VISA, one should not continue his stay in that country. That will be an offence and you may be punished.
In some countries, they will allow the students to apply from that country itself. But some will ask the student to apply from the country of his origin.
For example, if you are studying at a university in the UK, you are allowed a fresh VISA or for extension from the UK itself if the gap between your current visa expiring and your new course start date is not more than 28 days. If it is mother than 28 days you have to apply from your own nation. The process will be the same as that of the first VISA and you have to follow the system as mentioned by the VISA office in our country.
Author: Ajay Gupta Post Date: 25 May 2023
Yes, surely it will be difficult to get a student Visa for different subjects for studies abroad but it is not impossible. You can apply for it but chances are low as most of the top universities have eligibility criteria which you have to fulfill and chances of getting opportunities will be more at universities that are not reputed and also expensive.
Hence, choose your subject carefully because it is about your career and any mistake can cost you time as well as money. Just go with the subject in which you are proficient and make sure you have a statement of purpose ready. Also, make sure you are financially capable of studying abroad because many applications are rejected based on finances.
Yes, surely it will be difficult to get a student Visa for different subjects for studies abroad but it is not impossible. You can apply for it but chances are low as most of the top universities have eligibility criteria which you have to fulfill and chances of getting opportunities will be more at universities that are not reputed and also expensive.
Hence, choose your subject carefully because it is about your career and any mistake can cost you time as well as money. Just go with the subject in which you are proficient and make sure you have a statement of purpose ready. Also, make sure you are financially capable of studying abroad because many applications are rejected based on finances.
Author: Umesh Post Date: 21 May 2023
Different countries have different rules and regulations for giving visas to foreign students desiring to do a course there. Generally, they would check for the financial condition of the student and his eligibility qualifications. When a student registers for a particular course in a university and gets a visa for it, then he goes to that country and joins his course. After doing that course or midway he wants to go for another course then he will have to apply for an extension of the present visa or go for a fresh visa. Many countries do not like this approach because in their eyes it appears as a method to remain in that country by going for course after course.
So a student will have to find out the existing procedures for applying for an extension of the visa or going for a fresh one in that particular country.
Different countries have different rules and regulations for giving visas to foreign students desiring to do a course there. Generally, they would check for the financial condition of the student and his eligibility qualifications. When a student registers for a particular course in a university and gets a visa for it, then he goes to that country and joins his course. After doing that course or midway he wants to go for another course then he will have to apply for an extension of the present visa or go for a fresh visa. Many countries do not like this approach because in their eyes it appears as a method to remain in that country by going for course after course.
So a student will have to find out the existing procedures for applying for an extension of the visa or going for a fresh one in that particular country.
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