DEPARTMENT TO RESUME OFFSHORE STUDENT VISA PROCESSING

The Morrison government has announced changes to the student visa arrangements in order to support international students who are struggling due to the current COVID-19 situation. The education sector represents the Australian third largest export, contributing $40 billion dollars annually.

Five main changes have been announced:

1) The government will resume granting student visas to offshore applicants. This means that when the borders re-open, students will already have visas and will be able to make arrangements to travel.

2) International students will be able to submit an additional student visa application for free, if they are unable to complete their studies within the validity of the original visa due to COVID-19.

3) Current student visa holders, studying online outside of Australia due to COVID-19, will be able to use that study to count for a post-study work visa subclass 485.

4) Graduates holding a student visa will be able to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to COVID-19.

5) Additional time will be given to applicants to provide English language results, if COVID-19 has stopped the access to these services.

Please note that some of the above points will require amendments to the current legislation to become effective.