Frequently Asked Questions

The 28-day rule requires that the total required funds (outstanding tuition + living costs) must be held in your (or your sponsor's) bank account for a consecutive period of at least 28 days. The end date of this 28-day period must be no more than 31 days before you submit your online visa application.

Yes, UK Student Visa holders are generally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during university term time. You are allowed to work full-time during official university holidays.

Standard processing time is generally **3 weeks** (15 working days) after you attend your biometric appointment at the VFS Global center in Nepal. Priority services are available for a faster decision (usually within 5 working days) at an extra cost.

The standard Student Visa application fee from outside the UK is approximately £524. You must also pay the mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is currently around £776 per year of study to access the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

The Form I-20 is the official Certificate of Eligibility issued by your U.S. university. The SEVIS I-901 Fee is a mandatory, separate government fee (currently $350 USD) that must be paid before your F-1 visa interview to register your details in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Yes, a face-to-face visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu is mandatory and critical for all first-time F-1 student visa applicants. The interview assesses your academic intent, financial ability, and, most importantly, your intent to return to Nepal after your studies.

In addition to an English test (IELTS/TOEFL), many competitive graduate programs require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). For business and management programs, the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is usually required. Waivers are sometimes available based on GPA or work experience.

The processing time is split into two parts: the interview wait time (which can range from a few days to 1-2 months, depending on the season) and the post-interview processing time (usually 3–7 working days if approved, before the passport is returned).

The mandatory application fee (MRV Fee) for the DS-160 Non-immigrant Visa Application for F-1 students is currently $185 USD. This is paid in addition to the $350 USD SEVIS I-901 fee.

DLI stands for **Designated Learning Institution**. This is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. You must have a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a DLI to be eligible to apply for a Canadian Study Permit.

The SDS is an expedited visa processing program for eligible countries, including Nepal. To qualify, students must have a minimum **IELTS score of 6.0 in each band** (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking), pay the first year's tuition, and purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).

You must show funds for your first year's tuition fees plus the current government-mandated living expenses. For a single applicant outside Quebec, this amount is approximately **CAD $20,635** (and is subject to change). This can be shown via a GIC or verifiable bank proof.

The standard processing time can vary significantly but is generally estimated to be around **11 weeks** for applications submitted from Nepal. Applications under the **SDS stream** are usually processed faster than the regular stream.

The PAL is a new document required by the Canadian government for most international study permit applications (excluding Master's/PhD) from 2024 onwards. Nepalese students for **undergraduate and college programs** must obtain a PAL from their chosen DLI *before* applying for the Study Permit.

The **GS (Genuine Student)** requirement (which replaced GTE) is a legal test that requires you to prove you genuinely intend to obtain a quality education in Australia and will return home after your studies. You must submit a detailed statement covering your academic background, chosen course, and future career plans in Nepal or internationally.

The two main ways to prove financial capability are: 1. Showing a large bank balance covering **tuition + living costs** (approx. **AUD $29,710** for living costs per year). 2. Providing evidence that your parents or partner have a stable, verifiable annual income (currently around AUD $72,592) in the 12 months before applying.

Graduates from eligible programs can apply for the **Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)**, which allows them to stay and work in Australia for a period dependent on their qualification and the study location. This is a common pathway to gain international work experience.

As of July 2025, the primary Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) has increased to $2,000 AUD. This fee must be paid when you lodge your online visa application.

Processing times can vary based on the completeness of the application and the education provider's status, but typically, 90% of Higher Education applications are processed within **34 days to 5 months**. Lodging a complete application, including medicals and OSHC, helps speed up the decision.