After you accept your offer, you pay a deposit, receive the official document you need for your student visa, apply for that visa, and then arrange housing, insurance, and travel.
Getting an offer is exciting, and it is only the start of the next stage. This guide walks you through each step after acceptance, explains the key document you need in each country, and helps you avoid the mistakes that delay students most often.
Find your student visa guide
See step-by-step visa requirements, financial proof rules, and document checklists for 11 study destinations.
Step 1: Read Your Offer Carefully
Before you accept, check what kind of offer you have.
- Unconditional offer: You have met all the requirements. Your place is ready once you accept it.
- Conditional offer: You still need to meet one or more conditions, such as final grades, an English test score, or a missing document. You must meet these conditions by the date in your offer.
Also check the start date, program name, tuition fee, deposit amount, acceptance deadline, and refund policy. If anything looks wrong, contact the school or your ApplyBoard expert before you accept. For families, see Conditional vs. Unconditional Offers.
Step 2: Accept Your Offer and Pay Your Deposit
Most schools ask you to accept your offer and pay a tuition deposit by a set deadline. The deposit secures your place and is usually taken off your first tuition payment. Some schools ask for a full year of tuition upfront.
Warning! Read the refund policy before you pay. Many schools refund some or all of your deposit if your visa is refused, but you usually need to send the refusal letter by a set date. Policies vary, and some deposits are non-refundable. Only pay through the school's official payment channels or through ApplyBoard.
Step 3: Get the Document You Need for Your Visa
After you accept, your school sends you an official document that you use to apply for your student visa. The name of the document depends on the country.
Check every detail on this document, especially the spelling of your name, your date of birth, your program, and your start date. Mistakes can delay or affect your visa.
Step 4: Apply for Your Student Visa
Apply for your visa as soon as you have the right documents. Processing can take from a few weeks to several months, and peak seasons are busier. You will usually need:
- A valid passport
- The document from your school (see the table above)
- Proof of funds for tuition and living costs
- Proof of health insurance, where required
- English test results and academic records
- Biometrics, a medical exam, or an interview, depending on the country
Your country's visa guide explains the exact steps. See visa guides by country.
Note: Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved. If your visa is delayed, contact your school right away. Some schools can defer your start date to the next intake.
Step 5: Arrange Housing, Insurance, and Travel
Once your visa is in progress, start planning the practical details:
- Housing: Apply for student residence early, as places fill quickly. If you rent privately, never pay a deposit for a place you have not seen or verified.
- Health insurance: Arrange the cover your visa and school require.
- Money: Plan how you will pay for your first few weeks, and research student bank accounts. Learn about bank accounts.
- Flights: Book once your visa is approved. Aim to arrive before orientation.
Need help after your offer?
Your ApplyBoard expert can help you understand your offer, meet your conditions, and prepare for your visa application.
Step 6: Prepare to Leave
In the last few weeks before you travel, use a pre-departure checklist so you do not forget anything important. Country-specific checklists:
- Canada: Documents and travel checklist
- UK: Pre-departure checklist
- Australia: Pre-departure and airport checklist
Families can use After Acceptance: The Family Checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most countries, you should accept only the offer you plan to take, and decline the others so another student can have the place. In the UK, undergraduate applicants using UCAS choose one firm and one insurance choice. Paying deposits to several schools can be expensive and may not be refundable.
Contact the school as soon as you know. Some schools may still accept you, offer a pathway or English program, or let you defer. If your offer is withdrawn, your ApplyBoard expert can help you look at other options.
Many schools allow you to defer by one intake, but policies vary. Ask before you apply for your visa, because changing your start date may mean the school needs to issue a new document. Learn about intakes.
Accepting your offer is a big moment. Take each step in order, check every document carefully, and give yourself plenty of time for your visa. Soon you will be packing your bags and getting ready for your first week abroad.
Get ready for arrival
Plan your first week abroad with our step-by-step arrival checklist.