Changes In The Student Visa And Their Effects

With the changes being made in the Australian student visa program, many foreign are now wondering whether it is worth it to continue their plans to study here. Some, has in fact, already decided to drop the chance altogether. And these turn of events are now worrying not only school officials, but also many immigration officials.

It can be noted that the revamp of the student migration have actually begun early last year, when the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) announced that it will be revising the skilled occupation list to make way for more higher level professions. A lot of the positions that where removed were of the vocational kind.

And since many foreign students are taking up these vocational course, a lot of them were heavily affected by the move. It should be noted that the main reason behind these students taking up vocational courses is because these are the easiest ones with which to get a permanent residency visa in the old system. Many of those who were affected were left with no choice but to forgo their applications and return back to their home countries.

And it seems that this was not the only problem that would be going in the way of many foreign students. At the same time last year, the DIAC also announced that changes would be implemented to the foreign student program itself. Some of the biggest changes were made with regards to qualifications for the program. One of this was the increase in the needed funds that a student needed to present first before being granted a visa, which was upped from the previous amount of AU$ 12,000 to AU$ 18,000. Stricter rules were also implemented with regards to qualifications, now with a greater emphasis on English proficiency.

As it turns out, while these changes were intended to sort out the most qualified among foreigners to be granted a student visa, these also had the negative effect of shying many potential students from applying. A lot of them argued that the new rules are seriously limiting their chances of getting into the country. Thus, they have now begun to seek out alternative countries, like the US or Britain, to study in.

According to government officials, they were well aware of these likely consequences. But they said that these moves are necessary in order to get the right kind of people in the country. Thus, they said that they will remain firm with their decision. However, immigration officials assured foreign students that those who want to take up vocational courses are still very much welcomed into the country, provided that they meet the requirements.

image source:
http://www.australianmigrations.com/images/img_visa_student.png