• England
• Scotland
• Ireland
• USA
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand

Japan
Mainland China
Korea
Taiwan

Planning Your Departure

Visas
Weather
Packing

Visas

Most SAF participants will be required to obtain a student visa prior to departing from their home country.  For your review, we have briefly outlined below the visa requirements by the SAF host country.  Please keep in mind that complete visa information and appropriate visa applications (when appropriate) will be provided to students once the SAF has received a completed SAF program contract and deposit. 

The SAF will assist students in every way possible to obtain a visa, but ultimately it is the student's responsibility to complete the required documentation and to submit all necessary forms (as well as making all necessary application processing payments) directly to their host country’s Embassy or Consulate.

USA

All non-US citizens/non-US permanent residents must obtain either a Student Visa (F-1) or Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) prior to traveling to the US.  The SAF host university will issue the appropriate immigration documentation necessary to apply for a visa, an I-20 for an F-1 Visa or a DS-2019 for a J-1 Visa.  The SAF will advise students on how to properly complete the visa application form, what documents must be submitted with their visa application, how to pay their SEVIS processing fee (not included in the SAF program fee), and lastly how to schedule the required visa interview.

Students may learn more about the US visa application process by visiting the USA Department of State website.

Canada

Students studying in Canada for six months or longer must obtain a Study Permit which is similar to a visa.  The SAF will provide students with the necessary host university acceptance letter to support their Study Permit application.  Students studying in Canada for less than six months are not required to obtain a Study Permit, but it is recommended particularly if the student has any intention to extend the duration of their study abroad program.

For more information about Canadian Study Permits, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

UK

Visa requirements for studying in England and Scotland are contingent upon students intended length of stay and citizenship.

Students from Japan and Korea
Students from Japan and South Korea studying in England or Scotland for six months or longer must obtain an Entry Clearance which is similar to a visa.  The Entry Clearance application process is completely online, and the SAF staff will provide advice on how to submit the appropriate documentation along with payment details for the required application processing fee.

Students from Japan and South Korea studying in England for less than six months do not require an Entry Clearance in their passport but they must demonstrate to the immigration officer at their UK port of entry that they are qualified to enter the country.  The SAF provides Japanese and Korean students studying in the UK for less than six months with a Student Validation document which attests to their visiting student status.

Students for Taiwan
Students from Taiwan studying in England or Scotland must apply for a visa before arriving in the UK and the SAF staff will provide students with complete information on how to complete and submit the appropriate visa application, how to pay the application processing fee, and what supporting documentation is required.

For more information about entry clearance and UK student visas, please visit UK Visas website.

Ireland

Visa requirements for studying abroad in Ireland are contingent upon students citizenship.

Students from Japan and Korea
Students from Japan and South Korea studying in Ireland must present a Student Validation Document to the immigration officer at the port of entry. The student’s host university will issue the appropriate documentation and the SAF will provide it to students prior to their departure.

Students from Taiwan
Students from Taiwan are required to obtain a visa to study abroad in Ireland and the SAF host university will provide students with the required letter of acceptance which must be submitted as part of the visa application process.  The SAF staff will also provide complete advice and guidance regarding Ireland’s visa application process and fees.

For more information about student visas, please visit Irish Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Australia

All SAF participants must apply for an Australian student visa and the SAF will provide the required Confirmation of Enrolment form which is generated by the Australian host university to do so. In some cases, the Australian host university will require SAF students to complete an acceptance agreement prior to releasing the Confirmation of Enrolment document and SAF will keep students apprised should they need to do so.  The SAF staff will provide complete information on how to complete the non-award student visa application (most can do this on-line) and provide current information on the application processing fee.  Occasionally the Australian government will request additional information from a visa applicant such as a medical examination, chest x-ray, police report, and/or information regarding English language proficiency.  Students who are asked to submit additional documentation should notify the SAF staff immediately and submit all required documents immediately to avoid unnecessary delays in the visa issuance.

For more information about student visas, please visit the Study in Australia website.

New Zealand

Students studying in New Zealand for longer than three-months must apply for a student visa.  The SAF will provide students with complete application instructions, information on the application processing fee and the required letter of acceptance from their host university.   

For more information about student visas, please visit the Immigration New Zealand website.

Weather

One of the best resources to learn about the climate and weather patterns at your SAF host university location can be found by accessing the Weather Channel online.  Click on your host country for appropriate Weather Channel access.  Students studying in Australia and New Zealand should not forget that these countries are in the southern hemisphere (summer months are January and February and winter months June and July).

United States
Canada
England and Scotland
Ireland
Australia 
New Zealand

Packing

A word to the wise – no SAF student has complained about taking too little with them when studying abroad but many have bemoaned having more luggage than they can manage.  Click here to read SAF’s packing suggestions.