Australia announces changes to onshore student visa applications

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Australian Department of Home Af fairs has announced a significant change to its student visa application process. Effective from January 1, 2025, Letters of Offer from educational institutions will no longer be accepted for processing student visa applications. Instead, applicants will be required to submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application. According to the official notice, this change applies specifically to onshore applicants within Australia.

“From 1 January 2025, the Department of Home Affairs will no longer accept Letters of Offer from individuals applying in Australia for a Student visa. Onshore applicants will be required to include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application,” the notice stated. Foreign Affairs, Defence, and secondary exchange students remain unaffected, as the alternative evidence requirements for their intended course of study remain unchanged. For visa applications lodged on or after January 1, 2025, the absence of a CoE will render the application invalid.

As per the Department’s website, invalid applications cannot be assessed, and no associated Bridging Visa can be granted. Applications submitted before this date using only a Letter of Offer will not be impacted by this change. The Department emphasised that including a CoE at the time of application signifies a stronger commitment by students to their chosen institution.

This policy shift follows a steep increase in the cost of international student visas introduced in 2024. On July 1, 2024, the Australian government raised the visa application fee from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 (Rs 37,000 to Rs 85,214 approx). This change was highlighted in a written response by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, during a query in the Rajya Sabha. The revised fee and new application requirements reflect Australia’s broader efforts to streamline its student visa process and enhance commitment from prospective international students.

These measures aim to ensure that students are fully prepared to commence their studies upon arrival in Australia. Students planning to apply for Australian visas are advised to familiarise themselves with the updated requirements to avoid potential delays or complications in their application process.