2024-06-13
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Study Abroad
Australia announces an end to “visa hopping”
Australia Tightens Immigration: Visa Hopping to End from July 1st
Australia announces an end to “visa hopping”
The Australian government has announced new restrictions for visitors and temporary graduate visa holders, effective July 1. Visitors will no longer be able to apply for a student visa while onshore in Australia, and temporary graduate visa holders will also be unable to apply for onshore visas. These changes are designed to end "visa hopping" and close loopholes in the migration system.
The visitor-to-student pathway, which has seen a significant surge in popularity, is now under scrutiny. Over 36,000 applications were made from July 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. Moreover, the number of international students choosing to stay in Australia on a second or subsequent student visa has skyrocketed by over 30%, reaching 150,000 in 2022/23. These figures provide a clear context for the new visa restrictions.
Other changes to temporary graduate visas include shorter post-study work rights, reduced age limits from 50 to 35 for some visas, and increased language requirements effective March 2024. These changes are part of a broader strategy to manage population growth and reduce net overseas migration, to halve net overseas migration by the next financial year.
The visitor-to-student pathway, which has seen a significant surge in popularity, is now under scrutiny. Over 36,000 applications were made from July 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. Moreover, the number of international students choosing to stay in Australia on a second or subsequent student visa has skyrocketed by over 30%, reaching 150,000 in 2022/23. These figures provide a clear context for the new visa restrictions.
Other changes to temporary graduate visas include shorter post-study work rights, reduced age limits from 50 to 35 for some visas, and increased language requirements effective March 2024. These changes are part of a broader strategy to manage population growth and reduce net overseas migration, to halve net overseas migration by the next financial year.
