Student visas, with the post-study work pathway on the same page
Scholarships open the door, but the visa is what gets you on the plane — and the post-study work pathway is what makes the whole investment pay off. We cover all three on one page per destination, cross-referenced against the official government sources.
F-1 Student Visa
F-1 · U.S. Department of State / SEVP
The F-1 is the standard non-immigrant visa for full-time academic study in the United States. It is issued only after a SEVP-certified school issues you a Form I-20 and you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The visa itself is interview-driven — the consular officer is checking non-immigrant intent and ability to fund.
- Post-study
- OPT + STEM OPT extension
- Duration
- 12 months OPT, +24 months for STEM degree holders (36 months total)
Student Route Visa
Student Route (formerly Tier 4) · UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI)
The Student Route replaced Tier 4 in October 2020. It is a points-based visa for study at a UKVI-licensed sponsor. Unlike the F-1, it is decision-driven (not interview-driven) — UKVI scores your application against the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), proof of funds and English requirements.
- Post-study
- Graduate Route
- Duration
- 2 years for undergraduate/master's, 3 years for PhD
Student Visa (subclass 500)
Subclass 500 · Department of Home Affairs
The Subclass 500 covers all full-time study with a CRICOS-registered provider. Australia uses a Genuine Student (GS) test — replacing the older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement from March 2024 — to assess whether you are a real student. The bar moved up in 2024 with higher financial thresholds and stricter scrutiny of agents.
- Post-study
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
- Duration
- 2 years Post-Higher Education Work stream for bachelor/master's; 3 years for PhD
Other destinations
For visa-adjacent guides we already publish, see:
- UK student visa long-form guide — narrative walkthrough with CAS, TB & IHS detail.
- Blog: F-1 deep dive — interview prep, refusal recovery, sponsor letters.
- Country-of-origin hubs — embassy posts and proof-of-funds by your home country.