International studies are one of the many ways students improve their quality of education and also their career/future prospects. Most students also want to earn a living, during and after their education.
So, which countries provide the environment to thrive as a student? Which countries would you have the opportunity to study and also earn? If you are looking to become an international student, read through the article to find out about these countries and also get answers to questions you may have about the study environment of these countries.
Read: 50 Cheapest Universities for International Students
15 Best Countries to Work and Study Abroad
Here are some of the best countries to consider for studying abroad and why we think so. In no particular order, they are:
- Singapore
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Finland
- Switzerland
- France
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- Italy
- Spain
- Poland
- Australia
- Canada
- USA
- UK
Singapore
Singapore is one of the countries in Asia that provides many opportunities for personal and professional growth. It places a high value on education, thereby creating a system that makes it relatively affordable and attainable. International students are greatly welcomed and are a part of Singapore’s economy.
Here are other reasons you should consider studying in Singapore:
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English is the official language in Singapore, so communication will not be a challenge.
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Singapore is ranked as one of the safest places in the world.
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The nation has highly-ranked universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU).
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Tuition in Singapore is about $11,000 for undergraduate programs and about $45,074 for graduate programs, depending on your course of study.
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In Singapore, students can work for up to 16 hours during school periods and unlimited hours during vacation periods.
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While working, students can earn up to $800 - $1000 monthly, especially if their work is related to their field of study.
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After school, international students can apply for a Long-term Visit Pass which enables them to stay in Singapore for another year if they don’t get a job immediately. Students who however secure a job within this time are issued a Work Pass which enables them to work.
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The success rate of Singapore visas is about 85 - 90%.
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With the right and complete documents, Student Pass (visa) can be issued within 15 days to 1 month. However, students are advised to apply on time as physical interviews may mean the visa would take months.
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Germany
Germany is often a choice amongst students who are seeing international education. Also, due to the country’s top-quality education system and infrastructure, it is ranked as a top destination in the world for global students.
Here are some of the reasons students consider Germany for international education:
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Despite the fact that German is also spoken in Germany, students can learn all their courses in the English language.
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Germany offers low or in some cases, no tuition fee at all for international students. Decided by the government in 2014, international students only have to pay administrative fees of $110 - $390 in most public universities which makes it easily cheap and affordable.
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Students are permitted to work for about 20 hours a week or even 120 full days every year. More than 60% of the international students in Germany work part-time while in school.
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Scholarship programs like DAAD are always available to international students that want to study in private institutions.
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Germany is a great country for different engineering programs.
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After school, graduates can apply for an 18-month resident permit if they do not get a job immediately. This way, they can apply for jobs and stay longer in the country when they get a job.
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German university graduates have a high level of employability in the world.
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Getting a study visa to Germany makes you eligible to visit 26 other Schengen countries for up to 90 days continuously legally.
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The success rate of German visas is about 92%, but students are advised to start early. With the necessary documents, visas can be issued to international students without stress.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the major countries that accept international students from all over the world. It is famous for its impeccable education system, especially in business and technology.
Here are some of the striking reasons to school in Holland:
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Holland has a cheaper education system. EU students can pay as low as $2,070 while non-EU students can pay $6,525.
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English is widely spoken in the Netherlands so even if you cannot speak Dutch, it won’t be a challenge.
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Scholarships are available to international students to aid their education.
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Students are permitted to work up to 16 hours per week or full-time during the summer months (June, July and August).
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If you do not get a job immediately after school, you can apply for an Orientation Year residency permit which allows you up to a year till you get a job.
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The cost of living in the Netherlands is quite affordable. It costs about $721 monthly to live as a student in Holland.
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The success rate of visas to the Netherlands is about 83%. You can easily apply for a visa to the Netherlands easily as long as you have the necessary documents.
Finland
Finland is also a good place for international students to go to for studies, whether in undergraduate or graduate programs. One of the country’s goals is to have equal educational opportunities for all kinds of students despite their income level.
Here are some other reasons you may want to study in Finland:
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The English language is widely spoken in Finland and classes are also taught in English. This way, international students from different locations can learn appropriately.
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Finland has scholarship opportunities for students to support their education which makes some universities tuition-free for some international students.
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Students in Finland can work for up to 25 hours per week during school time, and statistically, 55% of students are always employed while working. Students also earn as much as $10 per hour of work.
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Finland has a conducive and clean environment which enables student life to thrive effortlessly.
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Finland is one of the safest countries in the world.
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Finland offers a one-year post-study work visa which allows you to stay up to one year while looking for a job. Once you get a job, then you can receive a permanent work visa which lets you know for as long as you want.
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The Finnish student card provided to students during their course of learning can help provide discounts for students for making purchases, thereby reducing the cost of living for them.
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PhD is free in Finland which makes it a good place for such students.
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With the right travel documents, applying for a visa in Finland is not difficult. However, proof of funds is a necessary document to be granted a visa.
Switzerland
The Swiss brand is a highly recognized brand in the world. Also, with several top-ranked universities, the Swiss higher education system offers students the opportunity to take their education and future careers further.
If you want to study in Switzerland, here are some things you should know:
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Switzerland is one the most organized countries in the world, with effective systems of government.
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Some universities in Switzerland rank among the best in the world making it a great education location for students.
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There are scholarship opportunities for students to make education more affordable. Scholarships like the Swiss government excellence scholarship and the IMD MBA scholarship.
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Students are permitted to work for up to 15 hours a week while schooling, but international students are only allowed to start working after six months of moving in.
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Graduates from Swiss schools are allowed to stay in Switzerland for up to six months while looking for a job. Once they get a job, they can then get a work visa which allows them to remain in Switzerland as long as they remain employed with a Swiss employer.
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Students in Switzerland pay an average of $10,612 yearly for tuition without scholarships.
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While the Swiss government is quite strict with their visa, the right and complete documents give you a chance of being issued a visa without much stress.
France
France is one of the European countries that accepts international students from all over the world. The quality of education provided in France is one that the nation boasts about.
Here are some of the reasons you may want to study in France:
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France has a high quality of education as a nation. Their doors are open for students to study management in top-ranked business schools, and also public universities which offer high-quality education at affordable cost.
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Even though French is widely spoken in France, there are over 1,600 courses offered in English for international students.
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There are scholarships available for students and even those who may not be qualified for them can also receive financial aid from the government.
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Students are permitted to work while schooling, but non-Eurpean students can work for lesser hours and are expected to obtain a resident permit to be able to work.
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The law mandates that students earn a minimum of €11.65 an hour while working so they are never underpaid.
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After graduation, a student can apply for a temporary residence permit called APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) which gives him up to 12 months to get a job.
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The visa success rate in France is about 75% but using the right documents gives you an advantage.
New Zealand
New Zealand is fast becoming one of the first choices for international students who want to study abroad. The serene environment in New Zealand is one of the reasons that education is improving in the country.
Here are some reasons you should study in New Zealand:
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New Zealand's educational system is highly respected around the world. Studying in New Zealand gives you an assurance that your program will be credible.
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Tuition in New Zealand is relatively low for international students. Students can pay as low as $4,580 annually as tuition.
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Students are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week in New Zealand while schooling. International studies offices in universities are often open to help students get a job while schooling.
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An open visa, valid for 12 months and available for all international students can easily be gotten after graduation. This visa gives you time to secure a job after graduation while still living in New Zealand.
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Unlike some other countries, New Zealand hardly rejects visa applications. Once a Statement of Purpose is well written, getting a visa is usually easier than in most countries.
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Having the right documents sets you on a path to receiving a visa easily from New Zealand.
Ireland
Ireland is a country with a reputation for academic excellence, green landscape, friendly people and a rich heritage. There are many benefits of studying in Ireland.
Some of those benefits include:
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English is the official language in Ireland which removes a communication barrier for international students.
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There are top universities in Ireland such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and University College Cork.
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Graduates of Ireland can obtain a post-study visa that permits them to stay in Ireland if they do not get a job immediately. A bachelor's program receives a one-year post visa while a master's program gets a two-year post visa.
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When an international student graduate gets a job, he is qualified for a Green card, otherwise known as a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
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Education in Ireland is relatively affordable for international students as the tuition is between $9,787 to $21,749.
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The cost of living is relatively cheap for international students.
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Students can work for up to 20 hours per week while schooling and 40 hours during holidays.
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The employability rate of Ireland graduates is about 80-90%.
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There are scholarship opportunities for students such as the Global Excellence Scholarship program to further reduce the cost of education for students.
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Getting a visa to Ireland is quite easy and straightforward, as long as the student has the necessary documents required to apply.
Italy
Italy is the fifth most populated country in Europe. This EU country is known for its lovely weather and rich food and is also one of the best countries to study and work abroad for international students.
Here are some things you should know about studying in Italy:
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Education in Italy is relatively affordable compared to some other European countries.
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Some courses are taught in English language and this helps international students to learn properly.
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Italy is a country that has ease of accessibility across the country. So, transportation isn’t difficult, especially for students who would not be living within the school premises.
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Students can work for up to 20 hours a week. However, non-European students must obtain a work permit before they are permitted to work in Italy.
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There are lots of scholarship opportunities available for international students. Scholarships like Italian government scholarships for foreign and IRE students, Bologna University Study Grants for International Students, etc.
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The cost of living is roughly about $1,088 monthly.
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Students can apply for a residence permit for up to 6 - 12 months depending on the university as they apply for a job.
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Getting an Italian visa is not difficult as long as you have the required documents necessary for visa processing.
Spain
Spain is one of the most attractive countries in Europe for international students. With a rich culture and an inclusive tradition, it has become a top choice for most students that intend to study abroad.
Here are some of the facts about Spain:
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Despite English not being its official language, there are lots of courses taught in the English language for easy comprehension by international students.
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Spain is easily the third most popular choice for international students, including those from the US and UK.
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Spain is a relatively affordable country for international students to live in.
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Spain offers a variety of graduate and post-graduate studies for students.
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Students can work for up to 20 hours while schooling.
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Spain issues a post-study work visa to graduate students who want to stay back and work in Spain. This visa gives them a one-year window to find a job to obtain a permanent permit. Students are advised to apply for this work visa 60 days before graduation.
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Spain has a visa success rate of 95% and every international student can easily get a visa with the right documents.
Poland
The community of international students in Poland is consistently growing. Amazingly, there are lots of benefits available to international students who come to study in Poland.
Here are some of those benefits:
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Poland has a high-quality education which is supported by a substantial level of curriculum flexibility.
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Education in Poland is relatively affordable. International students pay tuition of about $2,175 - $5,437 annually.
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Students who choose to work while schooling are not limited by any number of hours as long as it does not distract them from their education.
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Every graduate who applies receives a one-year visa extension to give them time to get a job.
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There are lots of scholarships and financial aid for international students to help them handle the cost of their education.
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Poland is a country with high-ranked universities such as the University of Warsaw, Warsaw University of Technology and AGH University of Science and Technology.
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Getting a visa to Poland is quite easy as long as the student has the relevant documents to apply for a visa. Students are advised to begin their application on time to avoid any delay.
Australia
Australia is also a good country for study and work, be it during or after school. It has also become one attractive destination for international students to settle to pursue their academic and career goals.
Here are some things you should know about Australia:
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There is high quality of education in Australia and graduates are sought after all over the world.
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Australia accounts for 6 of the top 100 universities in the world including Bond University, Central Queensland University and Charles Sturt University.
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Tuition and cost of living are relatively low.
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Universities offer internship opportunities to students.
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English is a universal language in Australia helping communication for international students.
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There are scholarship opportunities like Australia Awards, Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) and even the Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship.
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There’s easy access to a visa as long as you have the required documentation to apply for an Australian visa.
Canada
Canada is a great country that offers lots of benefits to international students in terms of education. International students also enjoy other benefits in the country as long as they are law-abiding during the course of their stay.
Here are some of the reasons Canada is sought after by students:
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Canada boasts of the quality of education they provide. Most schools in Canada rank among the very best such as the University of Toronto Ontario, the University of British Columbia and McGill University Montreal.
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Canada is currently a nation filled with both study and career opportunities in different aspects of tech.
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Graduates from Canadian universities have a shot at great employment.
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Students can work for up to 20 hours weekly and full-time during holidays, without a work permit.
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Canada ranks third place globally for countries with the best quality of life.
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Students can apply for up to 3 years post-study work permit after graduation to give them time to secure a job.
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Students also have the benefit of staying back to work full-time after completion of their studies.
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Getting a Canadian visa is straightforward given you can provide the appropriate documents. Students are advised to apply on time.
United States of America (USA)
The United States has unarguably become one of the most-sought after countries by international students from across the world. What makes the USA so unique and attractive?
Here are some of the reasons:
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The USA provides high quality education to international students and also a flexible curriculum that enables students to manage their education.
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Graduates from the United States have great career prospects for the future and most times, gain real working experience in their field of study while still in school.
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Certificates gotten from universities in the US have an excellent international reputation, making them highly accepted in organizations.
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There are so many scholarship opportunities available for international students seeking admission into universities in the US.
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Students can work for 20 hours per week and full-time during holidays.
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Students can request a post-study work permit valid for 90 days, to enable them to get a job in the country.
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Getting a visa to the United States is not as easy as in the rest of the countries, but the right documents help you gain a visa faster.
Read: 25 Cheapest Universities in the USA for International Students
United Kingdom (UK)
The UK is another great location for international students to further their education. It is made up of so many opportunities for students from different countries in the world.
Here are some of the reasons we think studying in the UK is a great choice for you:
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The UK has high-quality education for all students in different universities.
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The UK offers shorter courses as compared to other universities in other countries.
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There are lots of scholarship opportunities available for international students to help with their education.
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Students can work up to 20 hours during school time, and full-time during holidays.
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UK education is recognized by employers, universities and governments worldwide.
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Students can apply for a 2-year post-study work visa, during which they are expected to get a job.
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A UK visa is usually given with streamlined processes, but with the required documents for the visa, you are certain to get one.
These are some of the best countries for international students to study and work in. Following their visa guidelines, you can easily apply and be admitted into these countries.
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