Australia cracks down on visa hopping by international students,...

Australia's latest measures to combat visa hopping among international students come as part of a broader effort to address the practice of extending stays in the country by transitioning between temporary visas.

Australia has become increasingly popular among Indian students seeking higher education and vocational training. According to reports from India's High Commission in Canberra, India is the second-largest source country for international student enrollments in Australia.

The Australian government's crackdown aims to ensure that visas are granted only to genuine students, thereby supporting the nation's economic advancement. These changes, outlined in the government's new Migration Strategy released on December 11, 2023, aim to close loopholes and specifically target visa hopping. This practice is often observed among former international students who continue to stay in Australia indefinitely on temporary visas.

The recent decision by the Australian government impacts several visa subclasses, notably:

Temporary Graduate visa
Visitor visa
Electronic Travel Authority visa
Medical Treatment visa
eVisitor visa
Transit visa
Diplomatic Temporary visa
Temporary Work visa (International Relations)
Domestic Worker (Temporary) visa

Temporary Graduate visa holders are advised to either leave Australia or explore skilled employment opportunities to potentially transition to alternative visa pathways leading to permanent residency.

Applicants holding Visitor visas who wish to pursue education in Australia will now be required to apply for a Student visa from outside the country.

These measures are part of Australia's broader efforts to manage immigration levels and uphold the integrity of its student visa system. As part of these regulatory changes, the savings requirement for student visas was also adjusted in May, increasing the minimum savings from AUD 24,505 ($16,146) to AUD 29,710 ($19,576).

These updates reflect Australia's commitment to ensuring that visa policies align with national interests while maintaining a fair and transparent immigration framework.

Australia cracks down on visa hopping by international students, tightens rules starting July 1