EU, EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need a travel visa to study in the European Union but if you are a non-EU citizen moving to another country for an exchange programme, it is crucial to prioritize and take care of visas and immigration procedures. These processes are essential for ensuring legal entry and to stay in the host country. If you fail to comply with visa regulations, you may face serious consequences, such as fines or bans from re-entering the country. Starting to think about these procedures well in advance will let you enjoy an enriching exchange experience without unnecessary stress or complications.
It is important to know that immigration regulations can vary from one country to another, and they also depend on the documents you hold. You should check the immigration requirements of the country you are going to visit, based on your specific circumstances.
Our suggestion is to contact, as early as possible, the diplomatic authorities of the host country in the European country where you reside to inquire whether you need a visa to enter the Host Country and obtain a Residence permit.
If you need an invitation letter, it has to be issued by the International Office at the Host Institution, which can also offer support and guidance on this matter. Universities may have dedicated international student services or offices that can provide detailed information on visa requirements, application processes, and other immigration-related matters. International offices themselves can in some cases offer assistance, such as clarifying specific regulations, helping with paperwork, and guiding students through the necessary steps before they arrive in the host country or during their stay.
In a nutshell: check whether you actually need a visa; check which documents are required for the application; and apply as early as possible.
For further information, here follow some useful references provided by our Arqus universities:
Lyon 1
Non European students can access all the useful information on visa procedures on this page: https://etu.univ-lyon1.fr/guide-pratique/accueil-des-etudiants/etudiants-etrangers
For support please contact foreignstudents@univ-lyon1.fr
Padua
A useful website on VISA managed by the Italian government https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
For international students: https://www.unipd.it/en/visas-immigration
Granada
All information regarding administrative procedures can be found here:
For further information
If you are a BACHELOR’S OR MASTER’S STUDENT
Contact details:
África Mariñas del Río (africamar@ugr.es)
Phone number: +34 958 24 20 13
If you are a:
a) International doctoral candidate;
b) International researcher
c) International academic staff
d) International postdoc
International Welcome Centre, Centro de Transferencia Tecnológica (CTT), Edificio Florentino García Santos, Universidad de Granada, Gran Vía de Colón, 48. Granada 18071
Call us at: +34 958 24 90 40
Email: welcome@ugr.es
VILNIUS
CERTIFICATE OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
All exchange students – EU/EFTA citizens, coming to study in Lithuania for more than 90 days are required to register with the Migration Department within three months from the date of entering Lithuania. They must obtain a certificate of temporary residence in the Republic of Lithuania and declare their place of residence.
More information: here
NATIONAL VISA
All exchange students from non-EU/EFTA countries must obtain a national D-type visa. If a valid residence permit or visa for the purpose of study is obtained in another EU country, students can come to Lithuania for an exchange program and stay here without a Lithuanian visa for up to 360 days.
More information: here
USEFUL LINKS
Republic of Lithuania Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners (Consolidated version valid as of 1 April 2022)
How can I declare my place of residence in Lithuania?
Can I work in Lithuania while studying?
Integration tips by International House Vilnius Website- https://ihvilnius.lt/about-us
Wroclaw
Students arriving to Wrocław can get help with the legalization of their stay at the Welcome Point which is a part of the International Office.
At the beginning of every semester Welcome Point helps:
- EU and EFTA students who stay for more than 3 months and are required registration of residence,
- non-EU citizens whose visas do not cover their whole stay,
- non-EU citizens with Temporary residence permits from other EU countries.
Students are provided with forms, lists of required documents and instructions on how to proceed with the legalization. If needed, Welcome Point ensures consultations one on one, or online meetings for larger groups.
Welcome Point is open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 14:00 and is available at welcome@uwr.edu.pl.
A very helpful website to everyone interested in the process of legalization of stay widely used in Wrocław: https://przybysz.duw.pl/en/
Maynooth
MU International Office webpage regarding immigration: Immigration | Maynooth University
Official Irish Immigration website: Home – Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie)
Some students with non-EU citizenship may require a visa to enter Ireland. It is strongly recommended that students check the Irish Immigration website to check whether they need a visa or not. Note: US and Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter Ireland.
Students who are coming from outside the EEA / EU / Switzerland will need to register with Immigration and obtain an Irish Residency Permit (IRP) Card. Students can do this after they have arrived in Ireland.
Important note: Though Ireland is a member of the EU, it is not a member of the Schengen Area. Erasmus and Arqus students who are not EU citizens, but hold a residency permit for another EU country, will still need an entry visa. They will also have to register with Irish Immigration and obtain an IRP Card.