Pre-Departure Guide
Before You Land:
What Actually Matters
Every country has specific practical requirements that Indian students must address before arrival. Getting these right in the first 30 days avoids months of administrative difficulty.
Before You Leave India: Ensure your Student Route visa is stamped and valid. Download the UKVI Share Code for right-to-study verification. Purchase travel insurance from your departure date. Open a Monzo, Starling or Revolut digital account before leaving, it works from day one without a UK address.
BRP Collection: Collect your Biometric Residence Permit from a designated post office within 10 days of arrival. This is your primary UK identification document. Delays create complications with banking and accommodation.
NHS Registration: Register with a GP surgery in your first week. You have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, which entitles you to full NHS care at no additional cost.
National Insurance Number: If you intend to work (up to 20 hours per week term-time on a Student Visa), apply for an NI number through HMRC online. Required for legal employment and tax processing.
BRP Collection: Collect your Biometric Residence Permit from a designated post office within 10 days of arrival. This is your primary UK identification document. Delays create complications with banking and accommodation.
NHS Registration: Register with a GP surgery in your first week. You have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, which entitles you to full NHS care at no additional cost.
National Insurance Number: If you intend to work (up to 20 hours per week term-time on a Student Visa), apply for an NI number through HMRC online. Required for legal employment and tax processing.
SEVIS and I-20: Your I-20 form is required for your F-1 visa. Ensure it is accurate before you travel. SEVIS fee must be paid before your visa interview.
Social Security Number: If you have on-campus employment or qualifying off-campus work authorisation, apply for an SSN at a Social Security office after arrival. Required for tax purposes and US financial services.
Health Insurance: Most US universities mandate their own student health insurance plan for international students. Register with the student health centre in your first week.
OPT Planning: Understand Optional Practical Training from your first semester. The application window opens 90 days before your programme end date, delays in application directly delay your US work authorisation.
Social Security Number: If you have on-campus employment or qualifying off-campus work authorisation, apply for an SSN at a Social Security office after arrival. Required for tax purposes and US financial services.
Health Insurance: Most US universities mandate their own student health insurance plan for international students. Register with the student health centre in your first week.
OPT Planning: Understand Optional Practical Training from your first semester. The application window opens 90 days before your programme end date, delays in application directly delay your US work authorisation.
The F-1 Visa Process: Once you receive your I-20 from your US university, pay the SEVIS fee online and schedule a visa interview at the US Consulate (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata). Apply well in advance — at least 3 months before your programme start date.
Key Documents: Valid passport, DS-160 form, SEVIS fee receipt, I-20, financial documentation, academic transcripts, and admission/scholarship letters. You must demonstrate ability to cover the first year of study.
Work Rights and OPT: F-1 students may work up to 20 hours/week on-campus during term time. Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows 12 months of work after graduation; STEM graduates may extend this to 36 months. Planning for OPT begins from your first semester.
Key Documents: Valid passport, DS-160 form, SEVIS fee receipt, I-20, financial documentation, academic transcripts, and admission/scholarship letters. You must demonstrate ability to cover the first year of study.
Work Rights and OPT: F-1 students may work up to 20 hours/week on-campus during term time. Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows 12 months of work after graduation; STEM graduates may extend this to 36 months. Planning for OPT begins from your first semester.
The Study Permit: Apply online through IRCC after receiving your Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Allow 8–12 weeks for processing. Apply as early as possible.
Key Documents: Letter of Acceptance, valid passport, proof of funds (typically CAD 10,000+ per year beyond tuition), Statement of Purpose, photographs, and biometrics (required for Indian nationals).
Work Rights and PGWP: Study Permit holders may work up to 20 hours/week off-campus during term time without a separate work permit. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows up to 3 years of work after graduation. Vertex advises on PGWP eligibility before you begin your programme.
Key Documents: Letter of Acceptance, valid passport, proof of funds (typically CAD 10,000+ per year beyond tuition), Statement of Purpose, photographs, and biometrics (required for Indian nationals).
Work Rights and PGWP: Study Permit holders may work up to 20 hours/week off-campus during term time without a separate work permit. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows up to 3 years of work after graduation. Vertex advises on PGWP eligibility before you begin your programme.
The Subclass 500 Student Visa: Apply online via ImmiAccount after receiving your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your course start date. OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is mandatory.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: You will need to provide a written statement explaining why you are studying in Australia and your intention to return or travel onward. Vertex advises students on how to present this effectively.
Work Rights: Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows 2–4 years of post-graduation work in Australia depending on your qualification level.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: You will need to provide a written statement explaining why you are studying in Australia and your intention to return or travel onward. Vertex advises students on how to present this effectively.
Work Rights: Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows 2–4 years of post-graduation work in Australia depending on your qualification level.
SIN Number: Apply for your Social Insurance Number at a Service Canada Centre as soon as possible after arrival. Required for any employment and for tax filing. Indian students can begin part-time work immediately on a valid Study Permit (up to 20 hours per week off-campus).
Provincial Health Insurance: Depending on your province, there may be a waiting period (typically 3 months in Ontario, none in British Columbia) before provincial health insurance activates. Purchase private travel health insurance for this gap period before leaving India.
PGWP Eligibility: Understand your Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility from the start of your programme. Decisions about your course of study can affect it. Vertex advises students on PGWP eligibility before they begin.
Provincial Health Insurance: Depending on your province, there may be a waiting period (typically 3 months in Ontario, none in British Columbia) before provincial health insurance activates. Purchase private travel health insurance for this gap period before leaving India.
PGWP Eligibility: Understand your Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility from the start of your programme. Decisions about your course of study can affect it. Vertex advises students on PGWP eligibility before they begin.
Tax File Number: Apply for a TFN through the ATO immediately after arrival. Required for any employment; without it, tax is withheld at the maximum rate. Free, online, takes minutes.
OSHC: Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory for Student Visa holders and covers doctor visits, hospital treatment, and some prescriptions. Commonwealth Bank, Bupa and Medibank all offer student plans.
Work Rights: Student Visa holders in Australia may work 48 hours per fortnight during term time. The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) application should be lodged within 6 months of completing your degree.
OSHC: Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory for Student Visa holders and covers doctor visits, hospital treatment, and some prescriptions. Commonwealth Bank, Bupa and Medibank all offer student plans.
Work Rights: Student Visa holders in Australia may work 48 hours per fortnight during term time. The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) application should be lodged within 6 months of completing your degree.
Netherlands: BSN number registration at your local municipality in the first week enables banking and employment. English-taught programmes are widely available at Bachelor’s and Master’s level.
Germany: Your First 30 Days: Register at the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents registration office) within 14 days of arrival, a legal requirement. Visit your bank to release your blocked account funds. Register for your student card at the Studierendenwerk and enrol in mandatory health insurance. If you plan to work (up to 20 hours per week during term) obtain your Sozialversicherungsnummer.
Sweden: Your First 30 Days: Register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) within two weeks to obtain your personnummer, essential for banking, healthcare, and phone contracts. Open a bank account with your personnummer and enrolment documents. Join your student union for housing support and subsidised services. Apply for your residence permit card at a Migration Agency office.
Germany: Your First 30 Days: Register at the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents registration office) within 14 days of arrival, a legal requirement. Visit your bank to release your blocked account funds. Register for your student card at the Studierendenwerk and enrol in mandatory health insurance. If you plan to work (up to 20 hours per week during term) obtain your Sozialversicherungsnummer.
Sweden: Your First 30 Days: Register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) within two weeks to obtain your personnummer, essential for banking, healthcare, and phone contracts. Open a bank account with your personnummer and enrolment documents. Join your student union for housing support and subsidised services. Apply for your residence permit card at a Migration Agency office.