Visa & residence permit
From admission letter to residence card
Most guides stop at the offer letter. This page covers what comes next for a Pakistani student: the study visa, the residence permit after you land, and the rules that keep it valid.
- 1Prepare funds and insurance
A blocked account or bank statements, health insurance and, in some countries, proof of housing. The amounts are on each country card below.
- 2Apply from Pakistan
Apply for a national long-stay (D) visa or study permit through the embassy or visa centre, about 3 months before your course starts.
- 3Travel and register
Most countries require you to register your address within days of arriving. Keep every receipt and appointment letter.
- 4Get your residence card
Apply for or collect your permit at the immigration office before your visa expires. This card lets you stay in the country and travel within Schengen.
- 5Keep it valid
Respect the work-hour limits, earn enough credits and renew on time. After you graduate, many countries give you time to look for work.
A Schengen visa is not a study visa. The short-stay Schengen (type C) visa covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period and cannot be used for a degree. Apply for the national long-stay visa or permit of the country where you will study.
Going to Portugal?
Bring an apostilled NOC for your driving licence
Fees and steps change often. Confirm them on the embassy, visa centre or immigration website before you apply.