Are you a non-European student and want advice for moving to Europe to finish your studies?

Then you must be aware that you must obtain a number of documents that will be required for your entry into the EU. Furthermore, things may differ from what you are used to in a non-European country, such as China, the United Arab Emirates, or the United States. This is because of active rules and agreements between origin and destination jurisdictions.

In this article, we will explain the required documentation, the processes to be implemented, and the entities or offices to whom you must submit applications. Particularly if you want to stay in Italy, France, or Spain.

In addition, near the end of the article, we'll see the most recent Covid-19 rules for travelling to Europe, as well as what health certifications are currently required.

Let's get started right away with some extremely important information for anyone planning a trip to Europe. There is the Schengen Area, which consists of 26 nations, and if you have the Schengen visa, you can travel freely within these countries.

Let's find out what it is, if you need to apply for one, and how to do so in the next paragraph.

Schengen Visa information

Let's start by understanding what the Schengen Area is. This word refers to a region of the European Union made up of 26 countries where people can freely travel.

The countries that are part of this large area are: Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Hungary, in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Non-European citizens can travel for up to 90 days for tourism or business in all of these countries with a Schengen visa, however there are differences even in this situation.

Citizens of some countries, such as China, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and others, are required to get a Schengen visa.

While citizens of the United States (USA), Albania, Hong Kong, and many other countries do not require a Schengen visa for short stays (maximum 90 days) for tourism, business, invitations, or sports contests.

However, if you want to study, work, or live in a Schengen country for more than 90 days, you'll need to apply for a national visa from that European country.

There are certain clarifications to be made regarding students and citizens who do not require a Schengen visa. If you are a resident of the United States, for example, you will need to provide the following documents to the border guard:

• Valid United States passport, valid for at least three months beyond the scheduled return date;
• Evidence of the trip's purpose, such as documentation demonstrating the reason for entering the Schengen zone;
• Verification of sufficient financial resources to maintain himself during his stay in Europe.

You will receive a stamp with the date of your arrival in the nation after your admission has been accepted.

There are numerous variables and details to be aware of while applying for a Schengen visa to enter Europe; we recommend that you read through all of them on the Schengen Visa Information website.

Non-European students' travel documentation

Non-European citizens or students who wish to enter and travel throughout Europe need a passport and visa.

According to the Your Europe Act, "your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting". It means that your passport must be valid both when you leave your nation and when you arrive in Europe, as well as for three months after you leave the European country where you stayed.

You must apply for your visa at the consulate or embassy of the nation you wish to visit. You will instantly be able to travel to other Schengen nations if your visa is issued by a Schengen country. Also, a valid resident permit given by a Schengen country is comparable to a visa, however a national visa may be necessary to visit countries outside of the Schengen area.

Keep in mind that border officials in European Union nations may also ask for additional documentation to support your trip. For instance, a letter of invitation, proof of accommodation, and a return ticket.

If you are a student, you can stay in an EU country for the duration of your studies as long as you follow the rules:

• Admission to a recognized educational institution;
• Acquiring a sufficient amount of money to live on;
• Be covered by comprehensive health insurance in the host country. (Before obtaining the health insurance, you must  request the tax code in the embassy or consulate of your country of origin)

Then, once you've completed your studies, you must prove that you have a job or adequate resources to support yourself, or you risk losing your permission to stay in the country.

Let's take a closer look at the documentation required for moving to Italy, France, or Spain.

Documents for moving to Italy

Any foreign person moving to Italy, whether a student or a worker, must demonstrate his motivation and staying conditions, as well as his financial ability to maintain himself.

Furthermore, the requested documents are: a valid passport, as well as the entry visa that justifies the stay (tourism, study, work, etc.). The visa must be applied for at an Italian embassy or consulate in your home country.

Short-term stays of up to three months are permitted in Italy, as are long-term stays requiring a long-term resident visa. The reason for obtaining the residence permit must be the same as the reason for obtaining the visa.

If you want to renew your residence permit, you must do it at least 60 days before it expires by contacting the appropriate police station. For the verification of the requirements, these deadlines must be adhered to.

For moving to Italy from China, Arab countries, the USA, or any other country, you can follow the guided procedure that you can find on the Visa for Italy website. By answering four questions, you'll get all the information you need on the documents and forms you'll need for the request.

On that page, you'll also find the places where you can apply for an Italian visa in your home country.

Documents for moving to France

Even for moving to France, a non-European citizen or student must meet a series of requirements, such as:

• Have a valid passport with a validity period of at least three months beyond the expected return date;
• Obtain a Schengen visa or a visa relevant to the nation you desire to visit;
• Have a medical insurance;
• Have enough economic resources available.

Many factors are influenced by your nationality and length of stay. Depending on the cause for your visit and the length of your stay, you may be required to show more or less documentation. You can enter France on a short-stay visa if your intention is to stay for less than three months.

If you are planning a long-term staying in France, you'll need a long-stay visa, which is approved by the French government and provided for job, study, or family purposes. There are many types of visas available in this case, according to the reason for the stay.

For further information and a shortcut to the documents and forms necessary by nationality, visit the Welcome to France website.

Documents for moving to Spain

Moving to Spain requires the same entrance requirements as moving to Italy or France: a valid passport, a visa suitable for the length of stay and reasons, medical insurance, and financial resources.

You must apply for a study visa if you are a non-European citizen who wishes to study in Spain, for example, for a professional course, a master's, a post-graduate course, a PhD, or a degree.

This visa, on the other hand, is merely a permit to stay in Spain for the period of the program. If you want to stay in this nation for a longer period of time, you'll need to apply for a real residence permit. The type of permission you receive is determined by your unique circumstances and request, such as whether you desire a short-term visa, a temporary or permanent residence, and so on.

Visas for students differ according to the duration of the period of study:

• Short-term student visa: if you stay between 91 and 180 days;
• Long-term student visa: if the length of stay is longer than 6 months.

If you want to stay in the country for less than 90 days, however, a tourist visa would be enough.

Also for Spain, many things may change depending on your nationality, so check the Spain Visa website to find more information about your personal cases. website.

Covid-19 rules for travelling to Europe

Given the peculiarity of this historical moment, we also want to make the new health guidelines available so that people can travel to Europe.

Within the European Union it is necessary to have the Green Pass, which can be obtained by:

• Vaccines;
• Antigenic or molecular test;
• Certificate of recovery from Covid-19.

Having a Green Pass allows you to travel freely, but you must constantly be aware of and follow the laws of behaviour of the countries you visit.

Non-European citizens with a Green Pass will be required to take a negative swab in order to enter the EU. If you don't have a Green Pass, you'll need to undergo a 5-day quarantine and a negative buffer at the address listed in the computerized Passenger Locator.

Constantly shifting situations related to the pandemic, these restrictions may change unexpectedly, therefore it's wise to make some pre-trip checks.