Pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) abroad is a transformative experience that can significantly enhance your career prospects and personal growth. However, before embarking on this exciting journey, you need to navigate the visa application process. Securing a student visa is a critical step in your study abroad endeavor, and understanding the intricacies of this process is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps and provide valuable insights on how to obtain a visa to study for an MBA abroad.
Gather Required Documents
Collecting the necessary documents is a crucial step in the visa application process. Commonly required documents include:
- Passport with a validity period that covers your entire stay.
- Visa application form, typically available on the embassy or consulate’s website.
- Acceptance letter from the MBA program.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of financial resources to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
- Transcripts and diplomas from previous education.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) explaining your study and career plans.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume.
- Health and medical certificates, if required.
- Police clearance certificate, if necessary.
Indians in the US can get a visa after getting an MBA
Some of the best business schools in the world, like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and MIT, are in the United States. In 2020, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) did a survey that found that 81% of Indian students would rather take MBA courses in the United States. ².
But it’s not easy to get a work visa in the United States. After getting their MBA, Indian students who want to work in the US must apply for an H-1B visa, which is a non-immigrant visa that lets employers hire foreign workers in specialty jobs. The H-1B visa can be used for up to six years and, in some cases, can be extended.
The H-1B visa process has two steps. First, the employer must file a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the potential employee. After the petition is approved, the potential employee must apply for the visa at a US consulate or embassy.
Also read: Texas McCombs MSBA Program: Complete Overview
But there’s a catch: the H-1B visa has a limit of 65,000 visas per year for regular applicants and 20,000 visas per year for applicants with a master’s degree or higher from a US school4. This means that every year, more people want visas than there are visas to give out. To deal with this, the USCIS draws names from a hat to choose which petitions will be processed. Most of the time, the lottery is held in April, and the winners are told in May or June.
The H-1B lottery makes it hard for Indian students who want to work in the US after getting their MBA to know what will happen. Only 38% of Indian students who applied for an H-1B visa in 2019 were chosen in the lottery, according to a report from The Economic Times2. Also, getting an H-1B visa can be expensive and take a lot of time because it requires fees, paperwork, and interviews.
So, Indian students who want to work in the US after getting their MBA should start looking for jobs and getting ready for the H-1B visa process a long time in advance. They should also look into other visa options like O-1 (for people with extraordinary ability or achievement), L-1 (for transfers within the same company), and E-2 (for treaty investors).
Visa for Indians in the UK after getting an MBA
Another popular place for Indian students who want to get an MBA abroad is the United Kingdom. Some of the best business schools in Europe are in the UK. These include the London Business School, Oxford Said, and Cambridge Judge. GMAC says that 11% of Indian students would rather take MBA classes in the UK2.
Indian students who want to work after getting their MBA can get a better work visa in the UK. In 2019, the UK government announced a new Graduate Route that lets international students who finish their degree at a UK school stay and work in the UK for up to two years (or three years for PhD graduates) without any sponsorship or salary requirements1. The Graduate Route will start in July 2021, and students who started their course in 2020 or later will be able to use it.
With the Graduate Route, Indian students who get their MBA in the UK will have more time and freedom to look for jobs and get valuable work experience. It will also make them eligible for other work visas, such as Skilled Worker (for people with a job offer from a licensed sponsor), Global Talent (for people with exceptional talent or promise), or Innovator (for those who want to start or run a business).
So, Indian students with an MBA who want to work in the UK should use the new Graduate Route and plan their careers accordingly. They should also know the most recent rules and regulations about immigration.
Visa for Indians in Canada after getting an MBA
Canada is one of the most accepting and diverse places on Earth. It also has some of North America’s best business schools, like Rotman, Ivey, and Schulich. GMAC says that 8% of Indian students would rather take MBA classes in Canada.
India gives Indian students who want to work after getting their MBA a lot of options for work visas. Under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, international students who finish their degree at a designated learning institution in Canada can stay and work in Canada for up to three years, depending on how long their program was. The PGWP is an open work permit, which means that students can apply for it without having a job offer or being sponsored by an employer.
The PGWP program gives Indian students who get their MBA in Canada a lot of chances to work in Canada and meet people who might hire them. It also makes them eligible for other work visas, like the Canadian Experience Class (for people with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada), the Federal Skilled Worker (for people who meet the criteria based on education, work experience, language skills, and other factors), or the Provincial Nominee (for those who have a nomination from a province or territory).
So, Indian students with an MBA who want to work in Canada should apply for the PGWP as soon as they can after they finish their degree. They should also look into the different ways and programs that Canada has for people who want to move there.
Indians in Australia can get a visa after getting an MBA
Australia has a wide range of landscapes, animals, and ways of life. It also has some of the best business schools in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Melbourne Business School, Australian Graduate School of Management, and Monash Business School. GMAC says that 7% of Indian students who want to get an MBA would rather do so in Australia.
Indian students who want to work after getting their MBA can get a flexible work visa that lets them do so. Under the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), international students who finish their degree at a registered education provider in Australia can stay and work there for up to four years, depending on their qualification level and stream. The Temporary Graduate Visa has two ways to get it: the Graduate Work stream and the Post-Study Work stream. The Graduate Work stream is for people whose qualifications are related to a job on the skilled occupation list. The Post-Study Work stream is for people who have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The Temporary Graduate Visa lets Indian students who get their MBA in Australia work there to improve their skills and gain work experience. It also makes them eligible for other work visas, like the Skilled Independent Visa (for people with a high score on the points test), the Skilled Nominated Visa (for people who have a nomination from a state or territory), or the Employer Sponsored Visa (for those who have a job offer from an approved employer).
So, Indian students who get their MBA and want to work in Australia should apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa within six months of finishing their degree. They should also look at the most recent rules and requirements for immigration.
Visa after MBA for Indians in New Zealand
New Zealand is a country with a lot of beautiful nature, exciting activities, and new ideas. It also has some of the best business schools in the world, like the University of Auckland Business School, Victoria University of Wellington Business School, and University of Otago Business School. GMAC says that 4% of Indian students who want to get an MBA prefer to do so in New Zealand.
Indian students who want to work after getting their MBA can get a simple and easy work visa in New Zealand. Under the Post-study Work Visa (open), international students who finish their degree at an approved school in New Zealand can stay and work there for up to a year without a job offer or employer sponsorship. After finding a job related to their degree, they can apply for the Post-study Work Visa (employer assisted), which lets them stay and work in New Zealand for up to two more years.
With the Post-study Work Visa, Indian students who get their MBA in New Zealand have enough time and freedom to find a good job and get work experience in New Zealand. It also makes them eligible for other work visas, such as the Skilled Migrant Category (for people with in-demand skills, qualifications, and experience), the Work to Residence (for people who have a job offer from an approved employer), or the Residence from Work (for people who already have a job offer) (for those who have worked in New Zealand for at least two years).
So, Indian students with an MBA who want to work in New Zealand should apply for the Post-study Work Visa as soon as they can after they finish their degree. They should also look into New Zealand’s job market and career options.
Visa for Indians in France after getting an MBA
France has a lot of art, history, and culture. It is also home to some of Europe’s most prestigious business schools, like INSEAD, HEC Paris, and ESSEC Business School. GMAC says that 3% of Indian students would rather take MBA classes in France.
Indian students who want to work after getting their MBA can get a good work visa in France. Under the AutorisationProvisoire de Séjour (APS), international students who finish their degree at a recognized higher education institution in France can stay and work in France for up to two years without a sponsoring employer or a minimum salary. The APS is good for up to four years and can be renewed once.
Through the APS, Indian students who get their MBA in France can get work experience in France and learn about the many career options in France. It also makes them eligible for other work visas, like the Talent Passport for people with special skills or talents, the EU Blue Card for people with a high degree and a high-paying job offer, or the Long Stay Visa (for those who have a permanent job contract).
So, Indian students with an MBA who want to work in France should fill out an application for the APS within four months of getting their degree. They should also learn French and French culture to improve their chances of getting a job.
Conclusion
Securing a visa to study for an MBA abroad is a multi-step process that requires careful planning, organization, and attention to detail. By conducting thorough research, adhering to the specific requirements of your chosen country, and preparing diligently for the visa application process, you can increase your chances of success. Remember that each country has its own unique procedures, so be sure to follow the guidelines provided by the respective embassy or consulate. With determination and proper preparation, you’ll be well on your way to pursuing your MBA and embarking on a transformative educational journey abroad.
