Australia Doubles Visa Fees for International Students: Indians Set to Bear the Brunt
Synopsis: In a decision likely to affect prospective Indian students, Australia has announced a significant increase in student visa fees for international applicants.
Synopsis:
In a decision likely to affect prospective Indian students, Australia has announced a significant increase in student visa fees for international applicants. Starting Monday, July 1, the fees will rise from $473 (AUD 710) to $1,068 (AUD 1,600). Additionally, several categories of temporary visa holders will no longer be permitted to apply for a student visa while in Australia.
The Official Statement:
On Monday, Clare O'Neil, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security of Australia, stated that the changes would help restore integrity to the international education system. She added that these adjustments would create a migration system that is fairer, smaller, and better able to deliver for Australia.
The Figures:
The Australian government has also revised the savings requirement for student visas, raising the minimum amount needed from AUD 24,505 ($16,146) to AUD 29,710 ($19,576).
The Affected:
Those on Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visas, will no longer be eligible to apply for a student visa while they are in Australia, a decision which is expected to hit Indian students, the second-largest community among international students in the country.
Australia has been traditionally among the top five destinations for Indian students seeking to study abroad, besides the US, UK and Canada. Amid strained ties between India and Canada since last year, and with the Rishi Sunak government in the UK bringing in stricter immigration rules, Australia emerged as the preferred destination.
Now, after the hike in fees, an Australian student visa has become more expensive than that of the US and Canada, which are currently under $200.
