The Australian government’s decision to increase the living cost by 50 per cent for the applicants of student visa with effect from January 1, 2010, is likely to affect the Indian students who wish to pursue studies in Australia. Local immigration consultants state that this measure would result in 15-25 per cent drop in student visas.
It is worth mentioning that annually around 22,000 students from India apply for the Australian student visa. Out of the total, about 70 per cent are from Punjab and Gujarat.
The announcement states that from January 1, 2010, prospective overseas students will need to demonstrate that they have access to at least Aus $18,000 (approx Rs 746,000) a year to fund their living costs in Australia, instead of the current Aus $12,000 (approx. Rs 497,000). It is worth noting that living costs are one component of the financial requirements for a student visa. These policy changes are made with the view that the primary purpose of a student visa is to study.
Speaking to Business Standard, Oceanic Consultants Private Ltd CEO, Naresh Gulati said, “ The government has increased the living cost amount by 50 per cent. On one hand the move is good, as only genuine candidates who want to pursue higher education will apply for student visa. As a result the quality of students will improve, and ultimately the rapport of the country, which has been tarnished by the fake visa applicants. But again there is no second thought that the norms will affect the visa seekers. Roughly I estimate that there would be 15-25 per cent drop in visa applications.”
He informed, “ This is the second change they have brought in place in last 15 months. Earlier in order to tighten its visa policy and to ensure bonafide and genuine candidates, the government had introduced that parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and relatives of the like could only be the sponsors in order to avoid frauds, as many students used to land up in Australia in the name of pursuing education but ended up working as unskilled labourers.”
Established in 1996 and headquartered in Melbourne, Oceanic Consultants Private Limited is one of the leading consultants which provides consultancy to students aspiring overseas education and has an extensive network across India.
Echoing similar sentiments, Worldwide Immigration Consultancy Services CMD, BS Sandhu said, “ The move will definitely affect the student visa seekers. Already the attacks on Indian students has dampened the spirits of visa seekers, now the current move will further affect it. Moreover, with country like Canada making visa norms simpler, by reducing the waiting time considerably for permanent residency, people will prefer other countries like Canada and the UK instead of Australia. The move will affect visa seekers by 25-30 per cent.”
One of the consultants working with WWICS informed Business Standard that annually around 22,000 students from India applied for Australian student visa. In wake of attacks, she added that the enquires had dropped sharply in last few months from 100 enquires per month to 30 enquires a month.
