Australian immigration will not limit Australian student visas

Australia, 14th June: There will not be any limit on the number of Australian student visas to be issued every year, announced Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Under the Australian student visa program, there happens to be no restriction or curb on the number of Australian student visas for international students from different countries wanting to pursue different study courses in Australia every year.

Giving assurances to the quality education providers including university sector in Australia, Senator Evans said that Australia still welcomes international students to study in the nation and will continue to do so in the near future. 

Speaking about the recent law introduced by the Parliament in May, the Australian immigration minister said that aim of this law is to extend flexibility in managing Australia’s general skilled migration program and to see that skilled workers with best skills are allowed into the country in accordance with the needs of the Australian labor market. 

The law will result in restricting the number of Australian visas in certain jobs but will not affect the number of Australian student visas to be issued. 

So, as of now, all overseas students who came to Australia before 8th February, 2010 having either vocational, or higher education or a postgraduate student visa will be allowed to make application for PR(permanent residence) in Australia provided their occupation exists on the new Skilled Occupation List(SOL) or apply for a temporary Australian skilled graduate visa after successful completion of their study courses. 

The changes introduced by the Australian government in the Australian immigration system will not have any impact on the international students whose aim is to get education in Australia and get back to their native countries and not to use it as a medium to gain permanent entry in Australia, the Australian immigration minister reiterated. 

Under the Australia skilled graduate visa, former students are allowed to stay in Australia for a period of up to 18 months in order to gain work experience in Australia and get sponsorship from any employer who is ready to offer sponsorship for a job requiring the specific skills possessed by the student.