As the March intake draws near, many students applying for the first intake of the university year in Australia are feeling anxious because they haven't heard about the approval of their visas. People are also wondering why their student visas are taking so long to process.
In the year 2023 to 2024, in the first half, one out of every five student visas has been rejected. In 2022-2023, the Australian government issued 577,219 student visas. If the rate of visa cancellations continues this year, it is estimated that 91,715 students will face visa rejections. In 2018-2019, the visa refusal rate was 10%. In 2021-2022, it was 8.5%. In 2022-2023, it was 14%, and in 2023-2024, the visa refusal rate has already reached 19%.
In 2019, the fourth-largest source of income for Australia was the international education sector, bringing in a huge revenue of $41 billion.
To protect the integrity of the industry, the government implemented several measures:
Increased English language requirements.
Increased savings requirements.
More scrutiny over high-risk applications.
Cracking down on ghost colleges.
Investing in and strengthening the student visa integrity unit to prevent student abuse.
Introducing genuine student tests.
Due to these new measures, visa officers are using more tools to assess applications to ensure that genuine students are identified.
It is reported that visa officers often find integrity issues in many applications. These issues include providing fraudulent documents related to English tests, financial documents, fake educational certificates, making non-genuine claims about employment, intentions, non-genuine subsequent marriages, etc.
Under the newly introduced Ministerial Direction 107, the prioritization of student visas has been altered. Below is the updated order of priority:
student visa applications lodged outside Australia by:
Schools sector, Foreign Affairs or Defence sector, and Postgraduate Research sector applicants
Higher Education, English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), Vocational Education and Training (VET), and Non-Award sector applicants studying at an education provider with an Evidence Level 1
subsequent entrant applications lodged outside Australia that include an unmarried family member under 18 years
all Student Guardian visa applications (lodged in or outside Australia).
The delays in visa processing may indeed be attributed to the newly established priority list outlined above. With the revised order of priority, visa officers are now required to give precedence to certain categories of applicants over others. This means that individuals who fall lower on the priority list may experience delays as visa officers focus their attention on processing applications from higher-priority groups first.
Additionally, some universities like the University of Wollongong and La Trobe University have asked some of their potential students, whose Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) was approved but are experiencing delays in visa approval, to withdraw their visa applications. This is because they fear that the new assessments conducted under the new migration strategy may lead to visa refusal.
Enhancing Your Odds: Strategies to Improve Your Student Visa Approval
Choose a reputable university: Make sure to select a well-established and legitimate university instead of opting for a ghost college. This ensures that you receive quality education and enhances your chances of a successful visa application.
Choose the right course: Select a course that aligns with your interests, career goals, and the current needs of the job market. This not only maximizes the value of your education but also strengthens your visa application by demonstrating genuine intent and purpose.
Be honest in your application: Avoid making false or non-genuine claims when applying for your visa. Providing truthful information about your academic background, financial situation, and intentions for studying in Australia is crucial. Any misrepresentation could lead to visa rejection and may have long-term consequences for your immigration status. Honesty and transparency are key to a successful visa application process.
Convince visa officers of your genuineness: Present compelling evidence in your visa application to demonstrate that you are a genuine student. This could include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a clear statement of purpose, and evidence of your ties to your home country. Showing your commitment to your studies and your intention to comply with visa regulations can strengthen your application and increase the likelihood of approval.
Join student groups on Facebook and learn from others' mistakes: Engage with communities of fellow students who have gone through the visa application process or are currently studying in Australia. By participating in these groups, you can gather valuable insights, share experiences, and learn from the mistakes of others. This peer-to-peer support can help you navigate the application process more effectively and make informed decisions to improve your chances of success.
Disclaimer: Please be advised that the information provided herein is not intended to serve as migration or legal advice. It is provided for general informational purposes only. For personalized guidance and legal assistance regarding migration matters, it is recommended to consult a registered migration agent or legal professional.
Credit and Sources:
International students; visas: Federal government announces crackdown on dodgy VET colleges | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site
UK slashes migration in half, Australia urged to follow | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site
https://thepienews.com/news/australia-students-awaiting-visas-told-to-withdraw-university-applications/
Why is Canada capping foreign students and who will be impacted? (msn.com)
Australia plans to halve migrant intake, tighten student visa rules | The Straits Times
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1155