Visas

Visas/Residence Permits

In many cases, students will be required to obtain a visa or residence permit to study abroad. These documents permit you to enter a country and legally stay for the duration of your study abroad program. 

The length of your visit, the purpose of your stay, and the country you are visiting will determine if you need a visa and the type of visa you will obtain. 

You should visit your host country's consulate or embassy website to determine if you need a visa and to identify the steps you need to take to secure a visa. 

It is your responsibility to understand and complete the process for obtaining a visa for your host country. GEO advisors are happy to make recommendations, but you should always refer to you host country's consulate webstie for the most up-to-date and accurate information. 

For additional information, please review our Visa Workshop Presentation.

To ensure you understand the processes necessary to obtain your own visa, review the Visa Questionnaire.

Quick Facts: 

  • You will most likely need a student visa to study in Spain for longer than 90 days! 
  • The closest consulate is in Houston, Texas.
  • You should always check the Houston Spanish Consulate for the most up-to-date information on securing your study visa. 
  • The Spanish Consulate often allows for batch visa processing, so you may have the opportunity to submit your visa application through UNM.
    • A group visa submission can prevent students from having to travel to make an individual appointment with the Consulate.
  • The current student visa fee is 160 USD (subject to change: last updated October 2022).
  • You should have your passport before you apply to a study abroad program in Spain to ensure the timely processing of your visa. 
  • Be sure to attend our Spanish Visa Workshop the semester before you go abroad to learn more about the process!



Please note: visa information is subject to change. It is the responsibility of the individual to research and procure a visa. GEO strives to provide the most accurate information, but please review the consular website for the most up-to-date processes.

Quick Facts: 

  • You will most likely need a student visa to study in France for longer than 90 days! 
  • The closest French Consulate is in Los Angeles, California.
  • To apply for a French visa, you must first be accepted by your host institution and complete the Campus France process. 
  • You will need to make an in-person appointment at the Visa Facilitation Service site to apply for a visa. 
  • Please bring all required documents, including your Campus France documents, to your VFS appointment.
  • The current fees include the $250 USD Campus France visa fee, the VFS fee of approximately $30 USD, and the French visa fee of approximately $60 USD  (subject to change: last updated October 2022).
  • You should have your passport before you apply to a study abroad program in France to ensure the timely processing of your visa. 
  • Be sure to attend our Visa Workshop the semester before you go abroad to learn more about the process!



Please note: visa information is subject to change. It is the responsibility of the individual to research and procure a visa. GEO strives to provide the most accurate information, but please review the consular website for the most up-to-date processes.

Quick Facts: 

  • You will most likely need a student visa to study in Italy for longer than 90 days! 
  • The closest consulate is in Los Angeles, California.
  • You should always check the Italian Los Angeles Consulate for the most up-to-date information on securing your study visa. 
  • You will need to make an in-person appointment at the Italian Los Angeles Consulate or an Honorary Italian Consulate. 
  • An Honorary Consulate only facilitates visa submission. It is best practice to over-prepare and bring multiple forms and types of required documentation. 
  • The current student visa fee is $50.50 USD (subject to change: last updated October 2022).
  • You should have your passport before you apply to a study abroad program in Italy to ensure the timely processing of your visa. 

Be sure to attend our Visa Workshop the semester before you go abroad to learn more about the process!

Please note: visa information is subject to change. It is the responsibility of the individual to research and procure a visa. GEO strives to provide the most accurate information, but please review the consular website for the most up-to-date processes.

Quick Facts: 

  • You will most likely need a student visa to study in Japan!
  • The closest consulate is in Denver, Colorado.
  • You should always check the Japanese Denver Consulate for the most up-to-date information on securing your study visa. 
  • To apply for a Japanese visa, you must first be accepted by your host institution and have a physical copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
    • Your host university will start the COE process and mail your required documentation to your study abroad advisor at UNM. 
  • Once you have your required documentation, you will need to make an in-person appointment at the Japanese Denver Consulate to apply for a visa.
  • You should have your passport before you apply to a study abroad program in Japan to ensure the timely processing of your visa. 
  • Be sure to attend our Visa Workshop the semester before you go abroad to learn more about the process!

Please note: visa information is subject to change. It is the responsibility of the individual to research and procure a visa. GEO strives to provide the most accurate information, but please review the consular website for the most up-to-date processes.

Quick Facts: 

  • You will most likely need a student visa to study in the UK for longer than 6 months! 
  • The closest consulate is in Houston, Texas.
  • You should always check the British Houston Consulate for the most up-to-date information on securing your study visa. 
  • Follow the steps outlined in the Consulate's "Check if you need a UK Visa" tool. 
  • The current short-term study visa fee is £ 200 (subject to change: last updated October 2022).
  • You should have your passport before you apply to a study abroad program in the UK to ensure the timely processing of your visa. 
  • Be sure to attend our Visa Workshop the semester before you go abroad to learn more about the process!

Please note: visa information is subject to change. It is the responsibility of the individual to research and procure a visa. GEO strives to provide the most accurate information, but please review the consular website for the most up-to-date processes.

Quick Facts: 

  • You will most likely need a student visa to study in Australia!
  • The closest consulate is in Los Angeles, California.
  • You should always check the Australian Los Angeles Consulate for the most up-to-date information on securing your study visa. 
  • To apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500), you must first be accepted by your host institution and receive a copy of your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE). 
  • You will need to purchase both UNM CISI Insurance as well as Australian-specific Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance in order to get your visa.
  • Once you have your required documentation, you will need to apply for your student visa online through the Australian Consulate application portal. 
  • The current student visa fee is AUD $650 or just over $400 USD (subject to change: last updated October 2022).
  • You should have your passport before you apply to a study abroad program in Australia to ensure the timely processing of your visa. 
  • Be sure to attend our Visa Workshop the semester before you go abroad to learn more about the process!

Please note: visa information is subject to change. It is the responsibility of the individual to research and procure a visa. GEO strives to provide the most accurate information, but please review the consular website for the most up-to-date processes.