I never took my expatriate seriously until I met Martina. I became close friends when I was taking a year off from university to teach English in Spain. When she realized I couldn’t afford to go home for Christmas, she insisted that I was with her family in Rome. I quickly fell in love with Italy as I shared a bowl of seafood pasta on Christmas Eve and laughed at the round of Tombora. All subsequent visits (and often through WhatsApp) Martina declared I was more suited to life in Italy than in the US. I laughed at her comments, but at one point in 2023, I started taking them seriously. Maybe she was in something.
As an American citizen, I knew that living in Italy was a very realistic obstacle. This means a 90-day stay limit for travelers without a visa. For anyone discussing moving abroad, I didn’t think three months were enough time to understand whether I should give up on my life in New York forever. An unlikely solution? I learned Italian and was able to stay on a student visa for a long time.
I don’t think people will stop being students – Life is one big classroom after all. But enrolling in a language school is probably not the knee-wise way for most people to secure a long-term visa. Let me explain: Many countries have schools dedicated to teaching the country’s main language. Often, when you enroll in an intensive language program, someone on a student visa will qualify for the country’s requirements (more on this in more detail later).
In my case, I decided to register at the Academy Ring Language School in Bologna and was able to live with La Dolce Vita. From March to August 2024. Being on a student visa gives me the ability to explore and start life like a tourist Like Italian. Plus, it’s all made it easier to create your daily routine with the phrases and words I learned in my 20-hour class week.
Recently, many different visas have allowed US citizens to stay longer. There are visas dedicated to remote workers, retirees, and even freelancer visas. However, if you are passionate about learning any of the above options, or a particular language, this visa may be perfect for you.
How do I get a visa to study a language abroad?
As this type of visa varies by country, there is no guide to all sizes of this type of visa requirements. While it is utmost important to investigate the details, we found that many countries share some basics.
- Valid passport and expiration date. This is kind of simple. Some countries will want your passport to be valid for a minimum period after your visa has expired. In my case, I had to make sure my passport was still valid for 3 months after the expiration of my visa.
- Entry proof of language course. Rather than being limited to term or quarter courses, students can usually choose the number of weeks they wish to spend studying at language schools. Once you register with the school for the selected registration period, you will receive a letter of acceptance from the language school confirming the date. The validity of a visa usually corresponds to the start and end dates of the course.
- Proof of sufficient funding to support yourself. To obtain a visa, you must prove that your bank has a minimum amount. In my case, I had to prove that I had around $35 per visa day, but the exact amount depends on the country.
- Proof of accommodation. In many countries, you need to have a place to stay in front Apply for a visa. Proof of accommodation can come in the form of an Airbnb reservation or a letter from the landlord.
- Proof of previous language research. In some countries, you should provide a track record of learning at least a small language before a visa is granted. In my case, I had to provide a transcription of my previous research (I took one intensive Italian course at university).
After collecting the appropriate documents, you will need to make a reservation with the national consulate to add a visa document to your passport. I acknowledge that putting all the papers together can take time. It requires communication with the consulate and language school, and travel to the printer.
Work continues after you reach your destination. Once you reach the country where you have a visa approval, you will likely need to stay at the immigration office there. That being said, my time in Italy was worth the effort it took to get there.
Which countries offer student visas?
Many countries offer this type of visa. To share some examples, Colombia will provide a student visa for up to one year if you are enrolled in a Spanish language program for at least 10 hours. French student visas also allow you to stay for up to one year if you enroll in an intensive French course that requires classes of 20 hours or more per week.
Some countries, such as Germany, have specific visas for language acquisition. German learners can apply to stay in the country for up to one year, provided that the course is a minimum of 18 teaching lessons per week.
Tips for obtaining a student visa
If this visa sounds like it’s perfect for you, I have a few tips. The biggest: do your research. Once you have decided on a country, compare the different language schools in the city or town you want. If you require a letter of acceptance on your visa, make sure your school is accredited and you can provide it. Read previous student reviews and feel the structure of the language lesson. Sometimes schools don’t bother you when you’re out of the office, but I often worry about it.
As with most visas, getting a student visa and learning the language is not for the faint of heart. You need to enter a process full of patience and determination. But if you want to learn a language, you’ll already have these qualities anyway.
