Australia visa rules criticized by international student body

Australia, 19th July: Australia visa rules introduced by Australian immigration department have been criticized by a new international student body.

The restrictions on Australia visa norms have dashed hopes of getting Australian PR (permanent residency) of several international students in Australia, the student body has alleged.

The government of Australia has cut several professions that provide the international students an opportunity to become permanent residents of Australia. This is likely to result in relatively fewer international students currently on Australian student visas in the country to live and work in Australia once they successfully complete their study courses there.

CISA (Council of International Students Australia), the new international student organization has asked for necessary amendments to be made by Australian immigration department in the Australian visa rules. CISA has urged to increase accommodations for student community and making desired changes in work restrictions on international students.

In addition, the student council in Australia has asked for extending travel concessions to overseas students for Victoria and NSW (New South Wales).

Robert Atcheson, president of CISA, labeled the current Australian visa norms for overseas students as wholly unfair and illogical.

Criticizing the Australian immigration rules for students, Atcheson said that since all students coming to Australia on Australian student visas have paid huge fees for studying in Australia and have come to Australia on the hope that they will become legal permanent residents of Australia once they complete their studies in Australia, robbing them of such provisions is not fair at all.

On the other hand, the Australian government has justified the restrictions on Australian visa norms. The government has clarified that the amendments are aimed to put an end on several colleges in Australia using fake study courses as a route to gain permanent residency in Australia.

Moreover, those affected by changes in the Australian visa rules will also be provided with an Australian work visa of 18 months to enable them get jobs in Australia and also gain sponsorship offers from employers in Australia.

Nonetheless, various educational institutes in Australia have expressed serious concerns that the stricter Australian visa norms by Australian immigration department will bring a bad name to the image of Australia as a most suitable place to study in the world.