Key Takeaways:
- Australia’s visa changes target Visitor and Temporary Graduate visa holders from 1 July 2024 to address visa hopping and extend stays.
- Visitor Visa holders can’t apply for Student Visas onshore, aiming to ensure visa integrity and reduce abuse of education pathways.
- Temporary Graduate Visa holders must secure skilled jobs or leave, moving away from using further study to delay departures.
Why is Australia Changing Visa Rules?
Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, recently announced significant changes to visa rules as part of ongoing migration reforms first introduced in December 2023. Starting from 1 July 2024, these changes will notably impact Visitor Visa holders and Temporary Graduate Visa holders seeking to apply for Student Visas while onshore.
What Are the New Changes to the Visitor Visa?
As of 1 July 2024, individuals holding a Visitor Visa will no longer be able to apply for a Student Visa from within Australia. This decision comes in response to an increasing trend identified in a Home Affairs media release, which noted that over 36,000 Visitor Visa holders applied for a Student Visa between 1 July 2023 and the end of May 2024.
“The visitor to student pathway has become increasingly prevalent,” the release states. By closing this pathway, the government aims to align more closely with Australia’s broader visa integrity measures. This move seeks to curtail the practice known as “visa hopping,” where individuals use the visitor status to pivot to a more permanent residency status through education.
Why Are Temporary Graduate Visa Holders Affected?
In addition to changes affecting the Visitor Visa, the reforms also target Temporary Graduate Visa holders. As of 1 July, they will no longer be able to apply for Student Visas onshore. This step addresses issues highlighted in an October 2023 report by the Grattan Institute, which discovered a significant number of Temporary Graduate Visa holders extending their stay by enrolling in further studies.
“Many international graduates are also stuck in visa limbo: less than one third of Temporary Graduate Visa holders now transition to permanent residency when their visa expires, down from two-thirds in 2014,” the Grattan Institute pointed out. “One in three graduates return to further study, mostly in cheaper vocational courses, to prolong their stay in Australia.”
This policy aims to redirect these graduates towards finding skilled employment and moving towards permanent residency or returning to their home countries. Essentially, the government wants graduates to either become permanent residents by securing skilled jobs or leave the country rather than becoming “permanently temporary.”
What Impact Will These Changes Have?
The changes announced are expected to reduce net overseas migration. Minister O’Neil made this clear by stating:
“Our goal is to build a smaller, better-planned, more strategic migration system that works for Australia. Our Migration Strategy outlines a clear plan to close the loopholes in international education, and this is the next step in delivering that plan.”
By closing these pathways, Australia aims to improve the integrity and effectiveness of its visa system. It ensures that those in the country on educational visas are genuinely focused on their educational endeavors, not using the education system as a backdoor to permanent residency.
How Does This Affect Future Applicants?
Future applicants must adapt to these changes to ensure compliance with Australia’s updated immigration policies. To avoid complications, Visitor Visa holders and Temporary Graduate Visa holders must plan accordingly before deciding to pursue further education.
For more details on the changes and other related information, visit the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs.
Summary
The migration reforms are a part of Australia’s efforts to tighten its visa system and ensure the integrity of its immigration policies. By preventing onshore applications for Student Visas from both Visitor Visa and Temporary Graduate Visa holders, the government is stepping up to reduce visa hopping and ensure more strategic, planned migration that aligns with its long-term objectives. These changes, effective from 1 July 2024, mean that individuals looking to study in Australia need to plan their visa applications more carefully to avoid any legal complications.
Stay informed and plan ahead to make the most out of your migration journey to Australia.
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Glossary
- Visitor Visa: A type of visa allowing individuals to travel and stay in Australia temporarily, typically for tourism or business purposes, but not to work or study long-term.
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Student Visa: A visa that permits international students to live in Australia for the duration of their educational course. This visa allows enrollment in an eligible course of study in Australia.
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Temporary Graduate Visa: A visa allowing recent graduates from Australian educational institutions to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily after completing their studies.
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Visa Hopping: The practice of continuously changing one’s visa status to extend one’s stay in a country, often by moving from a temporary visa like a Visitor Visa to another temporary or more permanent visa, such as a Student Visa.
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Onshore Application: A visa application submitted by individuals while they are physically present within the country, as opposed to applying from outside the country (offshore).
This Article In A Nutshell:
Australia is revising visa rules to prevent “visa hopping,” effective 1 July 2024. Visitor Visa holders can’t apply for Student Visas onshore, and Temporary Graduate Visa holders face similar restrictions. These changes aim to maintain visa integrity and ensure strategic, planned migration, aligning with Australia’s long-term immigration goals.
— By VisaVerge.com
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