When applying for a student visa to study abroad, your passport, one of the most important documents you need, must be valid for at least 6 months. However, if your passport expires during the student visa application process, your application may be delayed.
Depending on the country you are applying to for a study permit, you may get to make use of your renewed passport or start your application all over again. For instance, for the UK study permit, applicants must have a valid passport.
If your passport expires during the UK student visa application process, your application will be paused. In that case, you must immediately submit your renewed passport, as a delay may lead to refusal.
So, what can you do when your passport expires during a student visa application? Let’s find out as it varies from country to country.
United Kingdom
If your passport expires before the approval of your UK student visa application, you have to notify the UKVI and your university’s immigration centre immediately. Failure to do this and instead proceed to apply for a renewal while your application is underway can lead to outright rejection.
This is because your details and number on your passport must match the information on your CAS, as a mismatch can cause delays or rejection. Also, if you proceed without notifying the relevant authorities, you will not be able to complete your biometrics.
Next, proceed to request the renewal of your passport from your home country’s immigration authorities. Once you receive your new passport, notify the authorities and your university again of the rectification of your details. Also carry both your expired and renewed passport with you at all times.
Canada
When applying for a Canadian student visa, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your studies. What this means is that if you are going to study in a two-year program, your passport should be valid for at least two years. This is because the visa duration will match your passport’s validity.
So, if your passport expires during the student visa application, it may lead to visa delays or refusal. In the case of a delay, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may request that you submit a new passport within a specified period. Failure to do so will result in outright visa refusal.
To avoid all of these scenarios, if your passport is about to expire, immediately request a passport renewal from your home country’s immigration office. Along with your old passport, include the scanned copy of your new passport and attach a short letter explaining the situation in a PDF file. Submit the documents to the IRCC to continue your application.
Read Also: What Nobody Tells You About Your First 30 Days as an International Student
Australia
In Australia, the case is quite straightforward. If your passport expires during your Australian student visa application, you have to pause the application and renew your passport. Once your passport is renewed through your home country’s immigration office, you must immediately upload the new passport number and details to your ImmiAccount with the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Also, you have to attach a clear scanned copy of your new passport, including the data page, to your account, and make sure to click Update to save all changes. Unlike in other countries, Australian immigration does not outright reject your visa application because your passport expires. Instead, they give applicants time to make the necessary changes on their ImmiAccount.
Germany
If your German student visa application is already underway and your passport expires before an approval is issued, the immigration authorities will automatically pause your application. Instead, they will give you a stipulated time to get a new passport or renew your passport and upload the details.
What you should do in this case is to request your passport renewal from your country’s immigration office. Then, along with your old passport, go to your visa appointment at the German embassy. They will, in turn, manually re-upload your new passport number to match it with your application online.
However, it is important that you notify the German consulate or embassy as you proceed with your application in order to avoid outright visa refusal.
What If Your Passport Expires After Your Visa is Approved?
This is another situation where international students may find themselves when applying for their student visa. In a case where your visa has already been approved, but you find out that your passport is no longer valid, what you should do is to request for a new passport.
Your old passport does not automatically invalidate your visa. Instead, most countries allow applicants to merge their old and new passports. However, this will be dependent on the country you are applying to study in. In the UK, for example, there are specific guidelines on how people can submit their new passport to further invalidate their visa.
In Australia, however, the applicants may need to link their new passport to the existing visa through a guided process. What you should do is check the country’s immigration authority website and be sure to follow instructions. Each country has its own guidelines; ensure you follow the right steps.
Read Also: What Happens If Your Student Visa Is Delayed?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is your visa still valid if your passport expires?
Yes, your visa’s validity remains unchanged even if you carry an old passport. What happens in this case is that you should get your passport renewed. Then take both your old and new passport along with you after notifying the relevant authorities.
Can I travel with a new passport and a visa on an old passport?
Yes, you can travel with both your old and new passports, even if the visa stamp is in the old passport. Ensure that you have notified the relevant authorities and your old passport is issued from the same country. The passport data page must also contain the same information. Also, it should remain undamaged and unchanged throughout your travel.
What countries need 6 months passport validity?
Several countries request for the 6 months passport validity. However, you shpuld find out the correct immigration guidelines from the official website before proceeding.
In Conclusion,
Before applying for a student visa, it is important to ensure that your passport remains valid for the duration of your studies. It is not always best to follow the rule that your passport should remain valid for at least six months. Instead, rely solely on the immigration guidelines of the country you are processing your application for.
Check your passport’s expiry date before even beginning your visa process. It is best, safer, and more convenient to apply with a passport that is valid rather than going through the whole process of visa renewal and updating your visa application.
No two countries have the same immigration policies. Therefore, rely solely on the official guidelines to avoid delays or refusals.
