Student visa terms explained: an A to Z glossary for 2026

Student visa terms are the forms, fees, codes and documents each country uses, and most are abbreviations. For Pakistani students the key ones are the I-20 and SEVIS fee for the USA, the CAS and IHS for the UK, the CoE for Australia, the PAL for Canada and the blocked account for Germany. Below, 47 terms are defined in plain English as of 14 October 2026.

Numbers

214(b)

A 214(b) refusal means the US officer was not satisfied that you meet the F1 requirements, such as your intention to leave after your studies. You can reapply with a new form and fee, as explained in reapplying after a 214(b) refusal.

221(g)

A 221(g) refusal means your US application is missing information or needs administrative processing. The US Embassy says most cases finish within 60 days, while USTravelDocs Pakistan says within 180 days. See our 221(g) guide.

A to F

anabin

anabin is the database of Germany's Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), which German universities use to classify your Pakistani institution and degree. See how Germany treats 14 year bachelor's degrees.

APS

The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) verifies education documents before you apply to a German university. As of October 2026, uni-assist says it exists in China, Vietnam and India, and the German Missions in Pakistan do not list it in their student visa process.

ATAS

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a free UK clearance needed for certain postgraduate subjects, and Pakistani nationals are not exempt. It takes at least 30 working days and is valid for 6 months for a visa application. See the UK student visa requirements.

Biometrics

Biometrics are your fingerprints and photo. US officers scan your fingerprints at the interview, while Canada (fee CAD 85) and Australia collect biometrics at VFS Global centres in Pakistan.

Blocked account

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) holds a year of living costs in Germany and releases a fixed amount each month after you arrive. As of October 2026, the German Missions in Pakistan ask for €11,904, or €992 a month. See studying in Germany for free.

BRP and eVisa

The UK's biometric residence permit (BRP) card has been replaced by the eVisa, an online record of your immigration status. GOV.UK says all BRPs have now expired, and you view your eVisa through a UKVI account linked to your passport.

CAS

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is the reference number a licensed UK student sponsor, usually your university, issues for your visa application. It must be issued no more than 6 months before you apply and cannot be reused once an application using it is decided. Our UK study service checks it with you.

CoE

A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is issued by your Australian provider for a full time course registered on CRICOS. Home Affairs treats a subclass 500 application lodged without one as invalid. See our study in Australia service.

CPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is F1 work that forms an integral part of your curriculum, authorized in SEVIS by your school's designated school official (DSO). It usually needs a full academic year of study first, and one year of full time CPT ends your OPT eligibility.

DLI

A designated learning institution (DLI) is a Canadian school approved by a province or territory to host international students. Your study permit needs a letter of acceptance from one, as our Canada study permit guide explains.

DS-160

The DS-160 is the online US visa application form. You choose your interview location in it and print a confirmation page with a barcode starting AA. Our DS-160 guide covers each section.

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test is taken online at home and scored from 10 to 160, with results in about 2 days. Many US universities accept it, but it is not a UK SELT and is not on Australia's visa list. See studying in the USA without IELTS.

Duration of status

Duration of status lets F1 students stay while they study full time, plus a 60 day grace period. A DHS rule replacing it with a fixed period of up to four years was postponed by a court on 14 September 2026. We track the case in new US student visa rules.

F1 visa

The F1 is the US visa for full time academic study. It can be issued up to 365 days before your I-20 start date, but you can enter only 30 days before that date. See the full F1 requirements or our F1 visa service.

F2 visa

The F2 is for an F1 student's spouse and unmarried children under 21. Each needs their own I-20 and pays the $185 visa fee, and F2 holders cannot work. Read about taking your spouse on a student visa.

FRC

NADRA's Family Registration Certificate (FRC) lists you with your family members. NADRA says it is generally used for immigration and visa processing, and it helps prove your link to a parent who sponsors you, as our bank statement guide explains.

G to M

GIC

A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) is a deposit with a Canadian financial institution. Since the Student Direct Stream closed on 8 November 2024, it is just one optional form of proof of funds.

Graduate route

The Graduate route is the UK's post study work visa. It lasts 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026 and 18 months from 1 January 2027, or 3 years for PhD graduates. See our Graduate Route guide.

GS requirement

The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is Australia's test that study is the main purpose of your visa. It replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test on 23 March 2024 and uses written answers backed by documents, as our Australia student visa guide shows.

HEC attestation

HEC attestation confirms that your Pakistani degree and transcripts are genuine. Since 11 May 2026 it is fully online at Rs 3,000 per document, but many visas do not need it. Read HEC attestation for study abroad first.

I-20

The Form I-20 is issued by a SEVP certified US school after it admits you and checks your funds. It shows your SEVIS ID, programme dates and yearly costs, and you need it for the SEVIS fee, the visa and entry to the US.

IBCC equivalence

The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) attests board certificates and states O and A level or other foreign results in Matric and Intermediate terms. As of October 2026, an equivalence costs Rs 6,000 and takes 15 to 20 working days.

IELTS

IELTS is an English test scored in bands from 1 to 9, run in Pakistan by the British Council and IDP. When a UK visa needs a SELT, it must be the IELTS for UKVI version. See the IELTS fee in Pakistan.

IHS

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) gives you access to the UK's National Health Service. Students pay £776 for each year of their visa, as of October 2026.

MOFA apostille

An apostille is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs certificate that Apostille Convention countries accept without embassy legalisation. Since 27 July 2026 it needs prior online registration and costs Rs 3,000 per educational document. It does not operate between Pakistan and Germany.

MOI letter

A medium of instruction (MOI) letter from your university confirms that your degree was taught in English. Some UK and US universities accept it instead of a test. See studying in the UK without IELTS.

N to S

NADRA

NADRA, the National Database and Registration Authority, issues the CNIC, the B-Form and the FRC. HEC checks your details with NADRA during attestation, so names and dates must match across your documents.

NOC

A no objection certificate (NOC) is a letter from an employer, sponsor or institution saying it does not object to your plans. Government employees may need one from their department before studying abroad.

OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary work authorization in your field for F1 students, often 12 months per degree level. A DHS proposal of 8 October 2026 would add a $70,000 fee for a first OPT, but it is not a rule yet. See master's in the USA.

OSHC

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory health insurance for Australian student visa holders. It must start on the day you arrive and last your whole stay. See the cost of studying in Australia.

PAL and TAL

A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) confirms you fit within Canada's study permit cap. Master's and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from 1 January 2026, and a 2026 PAL is valid until 31 December 2026.

PGWP

A post graduation work permit (PGWP) lets eligible DLI graduates work in Canada after their studies. For applications from 1 November 2024, university graduates need CLB 7 and college graduates CLB 5. That work can later count towards Express Entry.

Police character certificate

A police character certificate shows you have no criminal record. In Punjab you apply at a Police Khidmat Markaz, and Canada's Islamabad visa office asks for one from each country where you lived 6 months in a row or longer since age 18.

PTE Academic

PTE Academic is Pearson's computer based English test, scored from 10 to 90, with most results in two business days. Its UKVI version is a SELT. See our English test preparation.

SELT

A Secure English Language Test (SELT) is a Home Office approved test, such as IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, a LANGUAGECERT SELT or Skills for English UKVI. At degree level, your university may assess your English itself instead.

SEVIS

SEVIS is the US government database that holds your record as an F1 student. Your SEVIS ID is on your I-20, and the I-901 SEVIS fee is $350. See paying the SEVIS fee from Pakistan.

SEVP

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, certifies schools to enrol international students and manages SEVIS. Only a SEVP certified school can issue an I-20.

STEM OPT

The STEM OPT extension adds 24 months after regular OPT. Your degree must be on the DHS STEM list and your employer must use E-Verify. It matters for an MS in computer science in the USA.

Subclass 500

Subclass 500 is the Australian Student visa. As of October 2026 the charge starts from AUD 2,500, and you show AUD 29,710 for a year of living costs plus tuition and travel.

T to Z

TB test

Pakistani applicants coming to the UK for 6 months or more need a TB test certificate from a Home Office approved clinic. It is valid for 6 months from the X ray. See our TB test guide.

TOEFL iBT

TOEFL iBT is the English test run by ETS. Since 21 January 2026 it reports scores on a 1 to 6 scale, with a comparable 0 to 120 score also shown for two years.

UKVI

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the Home Office division that decides visa applications. It can interview you to test whether you are a genuine student, as our UK refusal reasons guide explains.

uni-assist

uni-assist checks international applications for many German universities, and its Pakistan page asks for HEC attestation stamps. Your university, not uni-assist, decides admission. See a master's in Germany in English.

VFS Global

VFS Global is a private company that runs visa application centres. In Pakistan it runs Canada's visa application centres and Australia's biometrics centres in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, but it does not decide visas.

VPD

A VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) is a uni-assist certificate that rates your qualifications in the German grading system. You then submit it to the university yourself, as part of your winter semester 2027 application.

How can Via Nova help with these terms?

Via Nova counsellors explain each step for your country and course through our student visa service. Canadian terms here are general information; personalised Canadian immigration advice is given through our licensed RCIC partner, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant. Our counsellors are in Lake City Meadows (Ex State Life), next to DHA Phase 5, Lahore, and also advise online.