Developing Internationalisation Strategies to Navigate the Complexities of Study Visas

In a dynamic global environment, institutional internationalisation strategies are critical to the mission of higher education institutions (HEIs). Annually, prospective and returning international students are compelled to apply for study visas. This process is often fraught with uncertainties due to restrictive visa policies, inconsistencies in regulations and related interpretation practices, and delays in visa outcomes. We argue that institutions should find ways to mitigate these challenges by developing institutional strategies and processes to ensure positive outcomes. Adopting a multimethod approach, we use document analysis and interviews with international students to understand the realities of students and international officers concerning study visas.