Michaela Byers - Australian Immigration Lawyer

Australian Immigration Lawyer

Changes to Student Visas - January 2004

The Australian goverment has implimented some positive new changes to student visas as a result of a review of the 2001 student visa reform.

The following are the changes for students from Assessment Level 4 countries eg Lebanon, China, Pakistan,

1. Financial support is now including the visa applicant's aunts and uncles. This is a good move to include the extended family of the applicant.

2. Using a loan to prove finance is now acceptable. Students whose families have assets in businesses and property will now be able to get a student visa

3. Applicants will now only have to show finance for a 2 year period. Previously, the applicant needed to prove finance for the entire length of the course.

4. Students will not need to show the finance in the bank for 6 months to extend their visa to complete a course. This is applicable if the student has finished 75% of their course and needs to extend their visa by one month

5. Applicants do not have to submit an IELTS exam result if they have studied in an English speaking country such as England, New Zealand or Canada if they have studied in that country for 5 years

6. Certificate IV courses are now allowed to be the principal course

7. Applicants may sign up for a Foundation Studies program if they have completed Year 11

8. Spouses of Masters and Doctorate students may work full time after their spouse has commenced their course

9. Applicants are now allowed to take English courses for a maximun of 60 weeks.

The following are the changes for students from Assessment Level 3 countries eg Bangladesh, Argentina, Chile, Fiji, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Laos, Nigeria, Philippines,etc

1. Financial support can be given by any individual, not just a family member

2. Applicants will now only have to show finance for a 2 year period. Previously, the applicant needed to prove finance for the entire length of the course.

3. Students will not need to show the finance in the bank for 6 months to extend their visa to complete a course. This is applicable if the student has finished 75% of their course and needs to extend their visa by one month

4. Applicants do not have to submit an IELTS exam result if they have studied in an English speaking country such as England, New Zealand or Canada if they have studied in that country for 5 years

5. Applicants may sign up for a Foundation Studies program if they have completed Year 11

6. Spouses of Masters and Doctorate students may work full time after their spouse has commenced their course

7. Applicants are now allowed to take English courses for a maximun of 60 weeks.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult a lawyer for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Immigration Update

Changes to Student Visas - January 2004