Visa & Relocation FAQ

Proof of funds varies by country. For the UK, you typically need 9 months of living expenses (approx. £12,006 inside London, £9,207 outside) plus any unpaid tuition fees in your account for 28 consecutive days. Canada requires $20,635 CAD plus first-year tuition.

Yes, but strict rules apply. Most embassies only accept parents or legal guardians as financial sponsors. You must provide a sponsorship letter, their bank statements, and birth certificates proving your relationship. Third-party sponsors (uncles, family friends) often lead to visa rejections.

The IHS is a mandatory upfront fee paid during a UK visa application that grants you access to the National Health Service (NHS). As of recent updates, it costs £776 per year for students and £1,035 per year for workers.

The USA (F-1 and H-1B) makes in-person interviews mandatory. The UK and Canada generally rely on biometric appointments and document processing, though they reserve the right to call you for a "Credibility Interview" via phone or video if they have doubts about your intent.

A rejection is not a permanent ban. You will receive a refusal letter detailing the exact reasons. You can usually reapply immediately once you fix the highlighted issue (e.g., providing clearer bank statements). However, lying or submitting fake documents will result in a 10-year ban.

If you are on a Work Visa (like UK Tier 2 or Canadian LMIA), yes. However, rules for Student Visas are tightening. In the UK, international students can no longer bring dependents unless they are enrolled in a PhD or postgraduate research program.

Yes, but strictly limited. In most major hubs (UK, Canada, Australia), students on degree-level courses are legally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during active term time, and full-time during official university holidays.

A true fully funded scholarship (like Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, or Fulbright) covers 100% of your tuition fees, provides a monthly living stipend, pays for your visa application, and covers round-trip flight tickets. You do not need to show personal proof of funds for these visas.

Most top-tier global scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth) do NOT have age limits. They evaluate leadership potential and impact rather than age. However, some specific Asian government grants (like MEXT Japan) may cap master's applicants at 35 years old.

Yes, but you have to overcompensate in other areas. Strong professional experience, published research, excellent reference letters, and a killer Statement of Purpose can offset a low GPA. Look for "experience-focused" grants rather than strictly "academic-merit" grants.

No. If your undergraduate degree was taught entirely in English, you can request an "English Proficiency Waiver" by providing a letter from your university. Alternatively, some schools now accept Duolingo English Test (DET) which is much cheaper and faster than IELTS.

The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an essay detailing your past achievements, why you chose that specific course/university, and how the degree will impact your home country. It is the single most important document in your application, carrying more weight than your GPA in many cases.

For a coursework-based Master's, no. For a research Master's or a PhD, absolutely yes. You must "cold email" professors with your CV and a brief research proposal to secure a supervisor before formally applying to the graduate school.

The "Scholarship Season" generally runs from August to November for intake the *following* September. If you wait until the year you actually want to travel, you are already too late. Start preparing documents a full year in advance. Check open grants here.

It means an employer is licensed by their government to hire foreign workers. They provide you with a legal document (like a UK Certificate of Sponsorship - CoS) which proves you have a job waiting. You cannot apply for a work visa without this document.

It depends on the company. Premium tech and healthcare companies often cover the visa fee, the health surcharge, and even flights (a relocation package). However, legally, the company is only required to pay for the Certificate of Sponsorship itself; they can ask you to pay your own embassy fees.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It is AI software used by global HR teams to scan CVs before a human ever sees them. If your CV has complex graphics, weird columns, or lacks the exact keywords from the job description, the ATS will automatically reject you.

Not always. While degrees help, many countries are desperately seeking skilled trades (plumbing, electrical work) and healthcare assistants (care workers). These roles rely on vocational certifications and years of experience rather than a university diploma.

Your visa is tied directly to your employer. If you lose your job, the employer must notify immigration. You generally have a "grace period" (usually 60 days in the UK and USA) to find a new licensed employer to sponsor you. If you fail, you must leave the country.

Yes, but you cannot simply "quit and walk across the street." The new employer must also be licensed and issue you a new Certificate of Sponsorship. You will then have to submit a new visa update application before starting work.

Governments publish public lists of "Licensed Sponsors" (e.g., the UK Home Office Register). You should only apply to companies on this list. Or, use our pre-vetted Jobs Directory.

World Education Services (WES) evaluates international transcripts and converts them into North American equivalents (e.g., turning a Nigerian 5.0 CGPA scale into a US/Canada 4.0 GPA scale). Many North American schools demand this before reviewing your file.

Usually, yes (ranging from $50 to $150). However, many universities offer "Application Fee Waivers" if you attend their virtual open days or email the admissions department requesting a financial hardship waiver.

A Conditional offer means you are accepted, BUT you must fulfill a requirement first (e.g., submit final graduation transcripts or pass IELTS). An Unconditional offer means you are fully accepted and can proceed to pay your deposit.

Rarely. Most universities only require a "Tuition Deposit" (ranging from £2,000 to £5,000) to secure your seat and trigger the issuance of your CAS (UK) or LOA (Canada). The remaining balance is usually paid in installments after you arrive.

If your undergraduate GPA is too low (e.g., a Third Class) or you are switching from Arts to Sciences, universities offer a 6-to-9 month Pre-Master's. Passing this guarantees entry into the actual Master's program.

No, as long as you can explain it. If you spent 3 years working, volunteering, or building a business after undergrad, this actually makes your application stronger. Unexplained gaps on your CV are what worry admissions officers.

September is the primary intake, offering the widest range of courses and the most scholarship funding. January (Winter) intake has fewer course options but often less competition. Academically, the degree holds the exact same value.