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EMA Visa Experiences Survey
The Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA) launched a comprehensive survey to gather insights into the visa application experiences of Erasmus Mundus students and alums in October 2023. This initiative, undertaken by EMA's Policy and Quality Assurance Unit (PQA), aimed to improve the support and policies surrounding visa-related issues faced by students pursuing joint master's programmes.
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What is the ‘EMA Visa Experiences Survey’ or VES?
The VES is an anonymous survey that seeks to gain valuable information about the challenges Erasmus Mundus students and alums have encountered during the visa application process. It includes questions about basic demographics to better understand respondents' backgrounds and the specific visa-related hurdles they have faced. The survey scope extends beyond visa applications, encompassing residence permits and post-study visas.
Contrary to being a helpline for immediate assistance with visa issues, this survey is a vital data-gathering tool. EMA intends to use the collected data to work collaboratively with Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJMs) to enhance their policies and programmes, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience for students dealing with visa-related matters.
EMA Visa Experiences Survey Results
The first round of the Visa Experiences Survey investigated issues faced by participants during the immigration document application stage. This survey, central to the “EMA for Equity” initiative, gathered data from 325 participants between October and December 2023 on topics such as visa application and collection, associated expenses, and resident permit complications.
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Figure 1. Distribution of Respondents’ Nationalities Based on the Main Passport Used
The majority of respondents hailed from outside the EU—particularly Asia, the Americas, and Africa. Many encountered challenges related to documentation, appointment scheduling, and visa delays, which led to stress and potential setbacks in their academic mobility. Despite some embassies or consulates granting exemptions, most students invested considerable time and money to secure their visas. A summary of these findings is illustrated in Figure 1, which details respondents’ nationalities based on the primary passport used.
Drawing on the survey results, several recommendations have been proposed to improve the Erasmus Mundus experience, including more consistent visa procedures across EU member states, enhanced support from consortia and higher education institutions, and potentially introducing an Erasmus+ mobility visa. If adopted, these measures could significantly reduce bureaucratic burdens, thereby boosting the programme’s goals of internationalisation and academic excellence.
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You can read the results in the document below.