8 countries · personalised
Student Visa Document Checklist
Pick your country and how you're funding your studies to get the exact documents for your student visa — core, financial and sponsor papers — then tick them off as you go.
USA student visa checklist
Core documents for the F-1 student visa
- Passport valid for your whole stay, with blank pages (and any old passports)
- I-20
- SEVIS fee receipt
- DS-160 confirmation
- Transcripts and test scores
- Academic transcripts, degree or provisional certificate, and 10th/12th mark sheets
- English test score report — IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo (as accepted by the university)
- Recent passport-size photographs in the visa's required format
Financial documents
- Education loan sanction letter on the lender's letterhead (student name, course, amount)Sanction letter help →
- Loan disbursement schedule or lender's letter for later years
- Affidavit of support from each sponsor
- Sponsor income proof (Salaried): Salary slips (3–6 months), Form 16, ITRs for 2–3 years, employer letter with salary and joining dateITR filing →
- CA net-worth / income certificate summarising sponsor fundsCA certificate →
- Receipt for any tuition deposit already paid to the university
How much money you must show for USA
Show liquid funds covering at least the first-year cost on your I-20 (tuition plus living) through bank statements, an education loan sanction letter, scholarships or sponsor funds. Officers also look at how later years will be funded.
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FAQ
Student visa document FAQs
Every country asks for a valid passport, your admission document (I-20, CAS, letter of acceptance, CoE or admission letter), academic records, an English test score and proof of funds. Most also need a visa form and fee receipt; some add health insurance, a medical test, a GIC or a blocked account.
Yes, in most countries a sanction letter from a recognised lender counts as proof of funds, often alongside bank statements. The UK accepts loan letters from eligible lenders; Germany instead needs a blocked account for living costs.
An affidavit of support, income proof for the last 2–3 years (salary slips, Form 16 and ITRs, or business financials), bank statements and often a CA net-worth certificate. Relatives other than parents should also show proof of relationship.
Account for every year with a short letter and evidence — job letters and payslips, course certificates or exam score reports. Unexplained gaps are a common reason for doubt about your study plans.
Start as soon as you accept an offer, about 3–4 months before your course. Loan sanctions, blocked accounts, medical tests and police certificates can each take a few weeks.