Student Visa
Overview
Important changes to the student visa programme – from 1 July 2016
New student visa applicants
From 1 July 2016, there will only be one student visa available to study in Australia – the Student visa (subclass 500).
After 1 July 2016, if you want to study in Australia, you will need to apply for the Student visa (subclass 500) regardless of your field of study.
From 1 July 2016 all student visa applications must be lodged online through Immi Account.
Paper student visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2016, including applications that were mailed to the Visa Application Centres (VACs) prior to 1 July and received at the VACs on or after 1 July, will be considered invalid and returned to the applicant together with payment of the student visa application charge.
More information relating to ImmiAccount and Student visa can be found on the Department’s website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Current visa holders
If you hold a student visa with subclass numbers 570 to 576, your visa will remain valid and your visa conditions will not change after 1 July 2016.
After 1 July 2016, family members of Student visa holders (subclasses 570-576) will need to apply for a subclass 500 visa if they want to join a family member in Australia.
Please Note:
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Online Visa Assist (ImmiAccount)
VFS Global can assist customers by completing the data entry of an application and uploading the supporting documents online, on their behalf, under VFS Global’s Online ImmiAccount by charging the approved rates.
For more information about Online Visa Assist (ImmiAccount), please click here.
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Biometric submission for Visa Application
As per the process, applicants are required to visit a VAC for enrolling their Biometrics. Customers will receive an auto confirmation on the email ID provided at the time of application with the details that will be required for enrolling the Biometrics.
For more information about Biometric Collection, please click here