The Australian Government is committed to enhancing the integrity of the student visa program! This ensures that visas are granted to genuine students and provides opportunities for those who study in Australia to contribute to the country’s economic growth!
As part of the Migration Strategy launch, the government has introduced adjustments to Student visa eligibility. These changes will limit the ability of certain temporary visa holders to apply for a Student visa while in Australia.
Starting from 1 July 2024, Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visa holders will no longer be eligible to apply for a student visa while in Australia.
The government took action in 2023 to reduce the number of dependents who were entering the UK on a student visa, mainly associated with one-year Masters’ programs. From January 2024, students on taught Masters’ programs have not been allowed to bring dependents on the student visa and they will subsequently not be allowed to have dependents on the Graduate route. In effect this is also a restriction to the Graduate route. This will mechanically reduce the number of graduate visas, as around 30,000 dependents joined the route in 2023. In addition, the evidence suggests that the change in dependents policy has already substantially contributed to reduced international student recruitment beyond this for September 2024. Early indications suggest a 63% reduction in the number of deposits paid for the September 2024 intake by international postgraduate applicants for institutions in the UK compared to the same time in the previous year. It is therefore likely that there will be a significant reduction in future use of the Graduate route as a result of policy changes already introduced. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) conducted their rapid review through a mixture of roundtables and sector data, with findings published 14 May 2024. The main message was “the Graduate route should be retained in full, finding no evidence of widespread abuse.
The Government has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for student visas with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This is effective for student visa applications lodged on and after 23 March 2024. This requirement does NOT apply to student visa applications lodged before 23 March 2024. Students applying for student visas before March 23rd, 2024 must still meet the GTE standards. In the new approach, the 300-word GTE statement will be replaced by a series of targeted questions.
Letter from the Home Secretary to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) responding to the MAC’s ISL published on 23 February 2024. In the letter the Home Secretary lays out the recommendations from the review which the government will accept. The letter also indicates recommendations made in the MAC’s review of the shortage occupation list published on 3 October 2023, which the government will accept.
Starting March 4, 2024, British Columbia (B.C.) is introducing the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system for international students, aligning with federal requirements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The PAL will serve as a verification of student allocations, ensuring a smoother process amidst new federal caps on international visa applications. British Colombia is proud to allocate a total of 83,000 undergraduate study permits, with 53% dedicated to public institutions and 47% to private institutions.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced plans to implement several measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s International Student Program and at better protecting genuine students from fraud. These measures include the following:
Starting December 1, 2023, post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLI) will be required to confirm every applicant’s letter of acceptance directly with IRCC. This new, enhanced verification process aims to protect prospective students from letter‑of‑acceptance fraud and to help them avoid similar problems that some students faced earlier this year as a result of fraud investigations. It will also ensure that study permits are issued based only on genuine letters of acceptance.
In time for the fall 2024 semester, IRCC will adopt a “recognized institution” framework to benefit post-secondary DLIs that set a higher standard for services, support and outcomes for international students. These DLIs will benefit, for example, from the priority processing of study permits for applicants who plan to attend their school.
In the coming months, IRCC will complete an assessment of Post-Graduation Work Permit Program criteria and begin introducing reforms to better calibrate it to meet the needs of the Canadian labour market, as well as regional and Francophone immigration goals.
IRCC is incorporating four newly approved English language tests for (SDS) applicants. The new list of approved language tests include:
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General;
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL); and
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic;
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based test (TOEFL iBT).
In addition to these tests, students can also take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training or Academic tests. It should be noted that the following changes to IELTS requirements for the SDS will also come into effect on August 10th and onwards.
Starting March 4, 2024, British Columbia (B.C.) is introducing the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) system for international students, aligning with federal requirements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The PAL will serve as a verification of student allocations, ensuring a smoother process amidst new federal caps on international visa applications. British Colombia is proud to allocate a total of 83,000 undergraduate study permits, with 53% dedicated to public institutions and 47% to private institutions.