Student Visa/ Onshore Student Visa Extension
If you are currently Studying in Australia on a Student Visa Its your responsibility as a student to check the validity of your Visa and apply in time for renewal. Which means if your Student visa (Subclass 500) is expiring, then you to “extend” your visa. In general terms its called student visa extension and is a common feature of student life in Australia. Unfortunately, you cannot extend the validity of your current visa, and thus have to lodge a new student visa. The process of onshore application is similar to one you have applied before arriving in Australia. This means the processing time is also similar as offshore
Some of the reason why you would need to extend (reapply) for a Visa extension are:
- When you have not completed your course in due course of the Visa Validity period. This primarily happens when student either fail units or when they defer a semester or due to reduced study load.
- You are not happy with the current course you are studying. In most cases you do not need to reapply for new visa, but if your circumstances have changed ( like adding a partner or a child etc) then it’s worthwhile to do so.
- Your current course is complete, and you want to apply for a new course. Our admission team with qualified counsellors can help you choose a course of your choice within Australia.
- Enrol in a new course, with a lower AQF Level. (For example, downgrading from a Bachelors to a Diploma level program)
- Visa has been cancelled by the DoHA (Department of Home Affairs)
Covid-19 like situation, when you are not able to study or complete your projects because of external circumstances.
Key Aspects to Consider:
- Before applying in Australia check if the “no further stay” condition has not been imposed to your visa, if you then you cannot apply for an extension.
- If your visa is expired, then there is no cause for concern because DoHA generally allows 28 days grace period before which you can apply. After the expiry of this 28 days period your stay would be considered illegal or Unlawful. So the onus is on the student to check the validity of their student visa.
- The student visa extension is not an automatic, so due importance must be given to paperwork and Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE). GTE requirement:
To satisfy the GTE requirement, you must demonstrate to Immigration that you intend to genuinely stay in Australia temporarily and comply with the conditions imposed on your student visa, should it be granted.
- As part of your student visa application, you should prepare and submit a signed written statement to demonstrate that you satisfy the GTE requirement and address the matters listed above. This should be accompanied by supporting documentary evidence.
- Our experienced lawyers at Unique Migration have a 98% success rate and have helped thousands of students extend their Onshore Visas.
- If you are from a level 3 country applying to a Level 3 or 2 institution (rules as of May 2020) then generally you must show funds. Which means you need to have enough money that is genuinely available to you to pay for your course fees, travel and living costs for you and your accompanying family members while you are in Australia. Given below is a Table which shows how much funds are required
- In some cases IELTS or PTE may be required.
- Whether there is anything in your immigration history that would not support an intention of a temporary stay in Australia.
GTE Requirement:
To make this assessment that you are genuine student, the Department will consider the following:
- Your circumstances in your home country including your economic situation, personal ties, and reasons for not undertaking studies in home country.
- Your potential circumstances in Australia including Incentives you may have to remain in Australia
- Your immigration history
- Whether the course is relevant and appropriate to your current employment and education background and has prospects in home country.
- Compliance with previous visa conditions (if any)
Process Chart:
- We give you a document checklist and then collect them as per the list.
- Generate offer letter and COE (When required)
- Prepare a GTE is consultation with the student. This process can take up to 2-4 hours depending on the history of the student.
- OSHC where required.
- Lodge student visa. Note all student visas are lodged from our Sydney office.
- Upon lodging the student visa, you will be given a Bridging Visa, until the outcome of the new visa application is ascertained.
- Visa is granted
- DoHA will email an acknowledgment receipt with a copy of BVA to your nominated email.
- If medicals are required, we will advice you, or you can check under Health assessment tab in IMMI account .
- All correspondence will come to us, but you can check your email for correspondence from immigration about the status of your visa application as well.
Student Visa Funds Table
| Item | Fees | Type of expense | Fees/ Amount req |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa Application Fee - Main Applicant Fees | - | Department fees | $620 |
| Additional applicant or Subsequent Applicant | $460 (each) | - | - |
| Children | $180 (each) | - | - |
| Living expenses / 12 Months Main applicant | - | - | $21041 |
| Living expenses -Partner/ Spouse | - | $7362 | - |
| Living expenses -Child | $4188 | - | - |
| Course Fees – First year tuition fees | - | - | $20000 * |
| OSHC | - | @600 per year | $1200 ** |
| Air fare | - | @2000/ Person | $2000*** |
| Total if only main applicant is applying for visa | - | - | $44,861 |
*Fees mentioned is approximate only and will change based on your tuition fees
**OSHC is approximate only and will change based on the Cover you choose. To compare please click on www.uniquemigration.com.au/oshc
***Airfare is approximate only and will change based on your city of origin.
Note: If you only have few months of your course remaining ( for example 4 months) or you are coming to Australia for a short course, you will only need to show evidence of funds for the intended period of stay.