Student Visa Process for the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, and Sweden 

Why these five destinations? Together, they host hundreds of thousands of international students, with the UK reporting 732,285 non-UK students in 2023/24 and Australia recording 839,199 international enrolments (YTD June 2025). New Zealand’s sector is rebounding too, with strong 2024–25 growth at universities and master’s level. These scale numbers matter because they translate into clearer visa pathways, support services, and predictable processing if you follow the steps precisely.

How to Use This Guide

• Start with each country’s Step-by-Step section.
• Then check Funds & Fees, Timelines, Work Rights, and Bangladesh-specific notes (TB tests, biometrics, etc.).
• End with the comparison & FAQs to avoid common refusal reasons.
  

United Kingdom  Student visa (formerly Tier 4)

A. Step-by-Step

1. Secure an offer & CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a licensed Student Sponsor. Your CAS lists course details and tuition due. 
2. Prove English (approved SELT if required: IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert, etc.).
   
3. Prepare finances (see following subsection) and documents (passport, CAS, bank evidence/sponsor letter, TB test).
4. Apply online (outside the UK) and pay the visa fee + IHS. Standard decision target: ~3 weeks after biometrics.
   
5. Biometrics & TB test (Bangladesh) at VFS Global; TB screening must be from a UK-approved clinic in Dhaka, Sylhet, or Chattogram.
6. Get your eVisa: successful applicants now get a UKVI eVisa, set up your account, and link your travel document.
   

B. Funds & Fees (what to show)

• Living costs (9 months max): £1,483/month in London; £1,136/month outside London. Show funds held 28 consecutive days; end date within 31 days of application.
  
• Visa fee: £524; IHS: £776 per year for students.
  

C. Work Rights & Dependants

• Work during studies is permitted according to the sponsor’s conditions. The Graduate Route still allows 2 years (Master’s/Bachelor’s) or 3 years (PhD) after completion. (Route under policy scrutiny but remains in place.)
  
• Dependants: generally allowed only if you’re on a PhD/other doctoral or research-based higher degree (or certain government-sponsored cases) for courses starting from 1 Jan 2024.

Australia Student visa (subclass 500)

A. Step-by-Step

1. Offer & CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) from a CRICOS-registered provider.
   
2. Genuine Student (GS) requirement statement (replaced GTE for applications lodged on/after 23 Mar 2024).
3. English test (note updated visa English settings from 7 Aug 2025, check which tests/scores apply to you and your stream). 
4. Funds evidence (see the following subsection).
   
5. OSHC (health insurance) Condition 8501 requires continuous cover from before the course starts.
6. Apply online and, if requested, give biometrics at VFS Global in Bangladesh.

B. Funds & Fees

• Living-cost financial capacity (12 months): AUD 29,710 (for applications after 10 May 2024). Tuition and travel are additional.
  
• Visa application charge (VAC): From AUD 2,000 (from 1 July 2025; previously AUD 1,600)

C. Work Rights

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods; unlimited when your course is in a session break.

New Zealand – Fee-Paying Student Visa

A. Step-by-Step

1. Offer of Place from an approved NZ provider.
   
2. Prove funds & insurance, plus health/character checks where required. 
3. Apply online; provide biometrics/medical (chest X-ray/medical exam) if requested. 

B. Funds & Fee Basics

• Living-cost funds: NZD 20,000 per year (or NZD 1,667 per month if under a year). The Funds Transfer Scheme is an accepted pathway in some cases.

C. Work Rights & After Study

• Work during study: increases to 25 hours/week during term from 3 Nov 2025 (was 20). Check your visa label/conditions
  
• Post-study work visa: up to 3 years, depending on qualification; degree Level 7+ usually eligible, with conditions for non-degree programs. 

Denmark – Residence permit for higher education (ST1)

A. Step-by-Step

1. An admission letter from a Danish higher-education institution.
2. Create a case order ID & pay the fee, and submit ST1 (the university usually completes Part 2). Provide biometrics at VFS/mission.
3. Document funds or fee payment (see below), passport, photos, etc.
   

B. Funds & Fees

• Monthly maintenance: DKK 7,286 per month (up to 12 months) unless your first-semester tuition is fully paid, which can satisfy maintenance.
  
• SIRI fee: DKK 2,255 (2025 fee level for student cases).

C. Timelines & Work Rights

• Service goal: typically 1–3 months overall; many student cases finish around ~2 months if complete.
  
• Work during studies: generally 20 hours/week, Sept–May, and full-time June–August for higher-education students. (Recent rule change restricts non-state-approved programmes from work/job-search rights.)
  

Sweden- Residence permit for higher education

A. Step-by-Step

1. Admission (full-time, on-campus) and pay the first tuition instalment before applying. KTH
   
2. Show maintenance funds (see below), a valid passport, and insurance (if stay is under 1 year).
   
3. Biometrics at the embassy/VFS and wait for the decision.
   

B. Funds & Insurance

• Monthly maintenance:
  
  • SEK 10,584 per month for applications filed in 2025 (SEK 10,314 if filed in 2024). Multiply by your permit months.
    
• Health insurance: if your total stay is < 1 year, you must have comprehensive private/university insurance covering the whole period.
  

C. Work & Practicalities

• No set cap on work hours during studies (but studies must remain your main purpose).

Bangladesh-Specific Notes (applies across destinations)

• Biometrics & VACs: The UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Denmark utilize VFS Global centres located in Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chattogram. Always book ahead in peak season. 
• TB tests: UK applicants must use UK-approved clinics in Dhaka/Sylhet/Chattogram (certificate required with the visa file).
  
• Bank evidence: UK requires 28-day held funds; AU/NZ require readily available funds that align with their current living-cost benchmarks; Denmark allows tuition-paid as proof of means; Sweden needs monthly SEK proof for the whole permit period. See each country’s subsection for exact amounts & links.
  

Quick Comparison (2025)  Funds, Fees, Work

• UK: £1,483/m London; £1,136/m outside (× up to 9 months) | Visa £524 + IHS £776/yr | Graduate Route (2–3 yrs).
• Australia: AUD 29,710/yr funds | VAC from AUD 2,000 | 48 hrs/fortnight in session; GS replaces GTE. 
• New Zealand: NZD 20,000/yr (or NZD 1,667/m) | Work 25 hrs/week in terms from 3 Nov 2025; PSWV up to 3 yrs (qualification-dependent). 
• Denmark: DKK 7,286/m (or tuition-paid) | Fee DKK 2,255 | 20 hrs/week (Sep–May); full-time (Jun–Aug); processing goal ~1–3 months. 
• Sweden: SEK 10,584/m (2025) | Pay first tuition before applying | No set cap on work hours; insurance required if stay < 1 yr. 

Document Checklists (condensed)

Core docs for all five

• Passport (valid for complete study + buffer), admission/CoE/CAS, photos, academic transcripts, English test (as required), financial evidence meeting each country’s rules, health/travel insurance (where required), TB/medical (if applicable), biometrics at VAC.
  

Extra-important nuances

• UK: 28-day bank history; TB certificate; eVisa account setup post-approval.
  
• Australia: GS statement; OSHC (8501) must cover you from before the course start; updated English test rules (Aug 2025).
  
• New Zealand: Insurance is mandatory; check Post-Study Work eligibility by qualification level.
  
• Denmark: Create a case order ID, pay the SIRI fee, and provide biometrics within the required timeframe; funds or tuition are paid.
  
• Sweden: Pay first tuition instalment before applying; show SEK monthly funds for the entire permit; insurance if stay < 1 yr.
  

Timelines & Strategy

• Plan 4–6 months ahead of your intended intake for document readiness and VFS slots.
  
• Typical decision windows (not guaranteed): UK ~3 weeks post-biometrics; Denmark 1–3 months; AU/NZ/SE vary by season and case completeness, earlier is safer.

FAQs (reader intent first)

1) Can I rely on education loans and fixed deposits from Bangladesh?

• The UK accepts student loans/sponsorship if the documents meet the required format and timing rules; personal bank funds must show a 28-day history. AU/NZ/DK/SE accept loans/scholarships/personal funds based on their evidence lists, ensuring immediate availability and correct letter formats. Always follow the destination’s exact document wording.
  

2) Do I need a TB test?

• Mandatory for the UK when your stay exceeds 6 months; this can be done only at approved clinics in Dhaka/Sylhet/Chattogram. Other countries may require health checks depending on stay length and risk category.
  

3) Can I bring my spouse/children?

• UK: Generally, PhD/research-based students or certain government-sponsored cases can bring dependants from the 1 Jan 2024 cohorts. Denmark permits dependants for state-approved programmes; rules were tightened for non-state-approved programmes in 2025. Check the provider and programme type.
  

4) How many hours can I work?

• Australia: 48 hours/fortnight in session; NZ: 25 hours/week in term from 3 Nov 2025; Denmark: 20 hours/week (Sep–May) & full-time in summer; Sweden: no formal cap; UK: per visa/sponsor rules + Graduate Route after study. 

Pro Tips to Avoid Refusals

• Match your story to policy: e.g., Australia’s GS questions align your course choice, finances, and post-study plan. Be specific and consistent across forms, SoPs, and interviews.
  
• Use the latest costs: AU AUD 29,710/yr; UK £1,483/£1,136; NZ NZD 20,000/yr; DK DKK 7,286 SEK 10,584/m (2025). Visa fees also change; constantly re-check the links just before paying. 
• Book VACs early in Bangladesh (Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram) to avoid intake rush.

Ready to apply? 

Our Uni education counsellor will provide comprehensive support, including shortlisting the right universities, mapping your intake timeline, vetting bank statements for compliance, booking TB/medical and VFS slots, arranging OSHC/insurance, perfecting your GS/SoP, completing visa forms, and preparing you for biometrics, end-to-end support until your visa decision. Let’s secure your offer and submit a refusal-proof file this week.

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