Students aspiring to study overseas must arrange various documents and meet certain eligibility criteria to get a student visa. Meeting health requirements as prescribed by your preferred destination and preparing the medical documents is part of the student visa process. If you wish to study overseas, here is some important information about medical requirements that you must know.

Key Highlights

·         Why are the medical and health requirements to study abroad important?

·         Basic medical and health criteria to study abroad

o    The routine vaccination

o    Your prescription medicines

o    Where to do the tests?

o    What other details should you add to your medical records?

o    Medical kit and other preventive measures to follow

o    Student health insurance

Why are the medical and health requirements to study abroad important?

Every nation will have its own set of rules that you will have to follow to ensure you receive your student visa on time. The rationale behind these popular academic destinations insisting on medical documents is to ensure that students enter their boundaries without any transmissible and/or non-transmissible illness. Please keep in mind that every nation may have different requirements. So, it is best to know the specific requirement of the country you plan to study. 

Basic medical and health criteria to study abroad

The routine vaccination

Post-pandemic, Covishield/Covaxin has become one the most important vaccines for everyone, including students, especially if you plan to travel overseas. But check which vaccine is approved by your study destination. Apart from this, several other vaccines and tests are mandatory. For instance, to study in the USA, you need to get vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR). Countries like Canada and Australia will need your medical reports, including X-rays and blood count reports. The UK will require you to be Tuberculosis-free and will need X-rays too.

Some common vaccinations:

·         Chickenpox

·         Hepatitis A and B

·         Tuberculosis

·         Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

·         Influenza

·         Ebola

·         MMR

·         Polio

·         Rotavirus

·         Tetanus

Your prescription medicines

If you are currently on any prescription medicines, it is wise to communicate the details to the authorities during your visa interview (if asked). Also, please keep the required stock of medicines with you when you fly abroad. You are likely to find prescription medicines when you travel abroad. However, it is best to pack them, so they last for a few weeks until you settle in the new environment.

Where to do the tests?

Most countries now require you to have the records of the full body check-up done from empanelled health centres/hospitals/clinics. These tests need to be done in your home country so you can produce the medical records to the authorities during your visa application process. Once your health check-up at these health centres is completed, you shall receive your medical reports in a few days. Please keep them handy, as these medical records have to be submitted to receive a student visa.

What other details should you add to your medical records?

Apart from the records of the full-body check-up, your empanelled doctor may also ask you about your medical history, prescription medicines (if any), eyeglass prescription and health insurance information. The information will be noted and passed on to you so that you submit these documents along with other health and medical mandates.

Medical kit and other preventive measures to follow

No matter which country you travel to, you will have easy access to hospitals and healthcare centres for serious problems. However, it is best to carry some essential medicines and other first-aid kits to address small health issues. Also, to be prepared for any emergency till medical help arrives, it is best to keep the medical kit ready.

Your medical kit must include the following:

·         Prescribed medicines

·         Motion-sickness medicine

·         Bandages, cotton and band-aids 

·         Sanitisers

·         Insect repellents

·         Health insurance card

Student health insurance

In case of emergencies, medical bills can be super expensive and stress you out in the absence of any relevant travel and health insurance policy. Your student health insurance will be your best friend when you travel overseas as it covers major costs such as hospitalisation and medical expenses.

·         Pro Tip: Student health insurance policy from your home country will be affordable compared to international medical plans. So, it is best to research the best student health plan in India that gives you the maximum benefits.

So, now that you know these essential health and medical criteria to study abroad, you can start your academic journey planning. We understand that overseas education involves multiple costs; hence we at Avanse Financial Services offer an education loan for studying abroad. The student loans we offer, cover the holistic cost of education, including tuition fees, accommodation costs, living expenses, learning devices and other education-related costs. If you have any queries, please connect with us. We will be glad to partner with you on your academic journey.