Australia Cracks Down On Student Visa Switches

HYDERABAD:Australia has tightened its student visa rules, restricting temporary visa holders from switching to student visas while in the country and limiting the inclusion of family members in applications. The changes, effective October 2, are expected to affect Indian students and workers planning to pursue higher education or extend their stay in Australia

Under the revised rules, most temporary visa holders, including those on Skills in Demand and Working Holiday Maker visas, can no longer apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) while in Australia. They must apply from overseas and remain outside Australia until their visa is granted

The restrictions also apply to most existing student visa holders seeking another student visa. However, exemptions are available in certain cases, including doctoral studies, progression to higher-level courses and students requiring additional time to complete their studies

The changes could affect Indian workers seeking to move from employment to higher education, as they would have to leave Australia to apply for a student visa

Australia has also restricted applicants from including spouses and dependent children in new student visa applications. Exemptions apply to doctoral students, certain government-sponsored students and eligible nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries. Indian applicants are not covered by the nationality-based exemptions

Students can no longer add family members after their visa has been granted. However, limited provisions allow eligible existing students to include family members already covered by their current visas in further applications

Similar restrictions on including family members are planned for Temporary Graduate visas (subclass 485). Existing graduate visa holders retain unlimited work rights

The changes do not affect existing student visas or applications lodged before October 2

The Australian government said the measures were aimed at preventing visa misuse and repeated switching between visa categories while protecting opportunities for genuine international students

Source: www.deccanchronicle.com