An exchange comes down to five steps in order — documents, visa, insurance, flights, credit transfer. One slipping can unsettle the whole semester, so it is safer to count backwards from departure.
Month by month
- D-12 months — shortlist three to five partner schools, attend a briefing
- D-10 months — language tests (IELTS, TOEFL, JLPT, HSK; valid two years)
- D-9 months — apply and interview at your own school
- D-5 months — receive the letter of acceptance
- D-4 months — student visa and student insurance (embassies take four to eight weeks)
- D-3 months — confirm flights and dormitory
- D-2 months — apply for advance credit approval
Four things people miss
- Skipping advance credit approval — it is hard to obtain after you return
- Not checking insurance limits — low hospitalisation and surgery caps make the policy pointless
- Visa validity that ends before the semester does
- The residence registration deadline after arrival
Check the insurance twice
The policy your school requires and the one your visa requires may not be the same. Confirm that one policy satisfies both before buying; changing it after you arrive is awkward.
Document lists and country-by-country differences are in the full guide on the WeBring blog.