Australian Student Visa Regulation changes during COVID-19 – Onshore and Offshore Application
The Australian Government made several changes to Student Visa regulations in July 2020 in response to COVID-19 Pandemic. The changes in regulation are created to support the international student education industry that employs thousands of people and worth more than $18 billion to the Australian economy.
Find out more about the Student Visa regulation changes in 2020 below:
1. Free International Student Visa Fee Due to COVID-19.
The first changes in International Student Visa in 2020 is the fee waiver, You are eligible for this fee waiver if you wish to extend your International Student visa because you were or will not be able to complete your study within the original validity of your visa due to COVID-19. You must complete the Form 1545 – COVID-19 Impacted Student and must have held a Student Visa on or after 1 February 2020. Only new student visa applications will be eligible for the waiver, and refunds will not be available to students who have already applied for the visa. If you are applying for an extension for free because your study was previously affected by COVID-19, you will be required to prove your claims and provide the Department of Immigration with supporting documents.
2. International Students arrival during COVID-19 Pandemic is currently on hold.
The second change for Student Visa during the COVID-19 Pandemic is the temporary closure of Australian border for all international visitors. As for the time being, the plan to bring back International Students to continue their study in Australia has been put on hold, and the borders remain closed. Each state has set its self-quarantine arrangements and protocols. You need to contact your education provider to explain your circumstances and to discuss your options if you are missing class due to current travel restriction or self-quarantine protocol.
3. Extended English Proficiency Requirements Processing time for Student Visa Application
For offshore Student Visa applications, if you are unable to provide English proficiency certificate such as IELTS score on your application due to COVID-19, you will be allowed by the Department of Home Affair to have extra time in order to provide it. This is an acknowledgement by the Department of the disruption of the services because of the current pandemic.
4. Online study is now recognised as part of the minimum 2 years study requirement.
International Student graduates under Student Visas who are currently unable to return to Australia due to travel restriction will still be able to apply for the Australian post-study work visa or commonly known as Temporary Graduate Visa whilst offshore. Previous online study activities under the Student visa can also be used to fulfil the study requirement for the post-study work visa.
Sounds complicated?
We understand that applying for a student visa to Australia is certainly very complex. It is even harder during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our Visa Specialists at ONE derland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and one of the most recommended migration agents in Australia. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We specialise in complex visa cases. As a registered Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Take the first leap and get in touch with us. Our migration agents are professional, honest and able to speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, Polish, German and Russian. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone at 08 9477 5831 (Perth office), 02 9188 2065 (Sydney office) or 03 9088 4114 (Melbourne office). Alternatively, you may book your consultation online and it is 100% refundable if you become our client.
