Australia moves to check onshore visa hopping by international students

The Australian government is cracking down on visa hopping by international students and will tighten student visa application rules starting July 1. Certain temporary visa holders, including those on Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visas, will no longer be able to apply for a Student visa while in Australia. This will affect thousands of Indian students in Australia.

Australia aims to end visa hopping, where international students stay in Australia on temporary visas indefinitely.

Australia has become a popular destination for Indian students pursuing higher education and vocational skills. India’s High Commission in Canberra reported that India continues to be the second-largest source country for international student enrolments in Australia.

This crackdown by the Australian government is to ensure that only genuine students receive visas, supporting the country’s economic growth.

These changes, part of the government’s new Migration Strategy which was released on 11 December 2023, aim to close loopholes and end “visa hopping”, where former international students stay in Australia on temporary visas indefinitely.

Affected visa subclasses include the Temporary Graduate visa, Visitor visa, Electronic Travel Authority visa, Medical Treatment visa, eVisitor visa, Transit visa, Diplomatic Temporary visa, Temporary Work visa (International Relations), and Domestic Worker (Temporary) visa.

Temporary Graduate visa holders are encouraged to either leave Australia or seek skilled employment and other visa pathways that may lead to permanent residency.

Visitor visa applicants who wish to study in Australia must apply for their Student visa from outside the country.

Australia has become a preferred destination for Indian students pursuing higher education and vocational skills.

According to government data, a significant number of Indian students—100,009 in 2022—were enroled in Australian institutions.

Additionally, 1.22 lakh Indian students were studying in Australia in the January-September 2023 period.

To reduce immigration levels, the Australian government has also made changes to the savings requirement for student visas. Australia has increased the minimum savings needed for a student visa from AUD 24,505 ($16,146) to AUD 29,710 ($19,576).

These measures aim to ensure that student visas are granted to those genuinely intending to study in Australia and contribute to the economy. Applicants who meet the criteria can apply for their Student visa from offshore and will be granted a visa if they qualify.