VISAS & VACCINES- A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN PANDEMIC TIMES

The pandemic has hit study abroad aspirations hard, and it is a wait-and-watch game for students looking forward to joining universities overseas. Awareness is the key because you have to stay one step ahead of the latest developments and realign your plans accordingly. The more updated you are, the fewer are your chances of facing roadblocks in the journey. Details about vaccines and visas can get overwhelming, so we have a complete guide to help.

GET YOUR VACCINE ON PRIORITY

Nothing is more crucial than getting your vaccines right now and it is not just about staying safe from the virus. It should be your first priority if you have study abroad plans to pursue. Major schools in the US have already mandated vaccination for students before entry to the country. Other destinations like Australia, Canada, and the UK will probably follow suit sooner rather than later. The best thing to do is to get a WHO-certified vaccination right now and have your certificate before you fly.

COMPLETE OTHER MEDICAL FORMALITIES

Even as the COVID vaccine remains the top priority right now, there are more health requirements that international students have to fulfill. Many countries require specific tests such as HPV and Tuberculosis checks as a part of visa formalities. Students have to be in good health, making it vital to complete these formalities through approved health centers at the earliest.

GET YOUR STUDENT VISA

A valid student visa makes you eligible to enter your study abroad destination. If you plan to fly overseas this term, prepare a checklist of documents you need for a student visa and get started with the process. You must understand the formalities involved, and even better, get expert assistance to breeze through. At this stage, you must find out about the vaccination policies and quarantine requirements of the country you plan to travel to.

CONNECT WITH YOUR UNIVERSITY

It is best to stay in touch with your university to get facts and the latest updates on the current situation. Communicate with them and let them know the current status of exams and results in your country. Find options if there are chances of missing admission deadlines due to delay in results. If you do not get a response, request your counselor to connect with the university on your behalf. Their involvement lends an official approach to the case, and there are good chances you will get an alternative. They can even convince the university for an exemption for your unusual circumstances.

RAMP UP YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Many international universities have degree-specific courses, preparation material, and modules for the admission aspirants to complete before joining. You can take time to complete these because they can serve as a strong foundation for your academics once you start with the course. Timing is crucial, so make use of it when you can. It is easy to stress and do nothing, but ramping up your knowledge gets you into a better place once you are in the university.

The key takeaway at this stage is to plan well for reaching your university in time. Whether it is vaccines or visas, you must have everything in place beforehand so that you can grab the opportunity when it comes. Confirming your vaccinations, being in touch with Embassies for your Visa process, and ticking the other boxes for valid entry make sense for international students even during the uncertain phase. Most importantly, you must stay positive because things will surely change for the better.

If you are considering studying abroad why don’t you discuss your prospects and opportunities with experts at Lurnable’s dedicated study abroad counselling division LurnPathways?


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