My Student Visa is Expiring, What are the Visa Can I Apply Next?
If you are now a student and planning to continue your stay in Australia, it is essential to understand the visa requirements and options available to you. This guide outlines the necessary steps and different visa pathways you can consider.
Applying for a New Student (Subclass 500) Visa if you wish to continue your education
If you wish to continue your education, you must apply for a new student (Subclass 500) visa. It is important to take note that the new course should at least be at the same level as your initial course.
For example, if you arrived in Australia to pursue a bachelor’s degree, your next course should be at the bachelor’s or master’s level rather than a diploma or certificate course. If your course level is lower than your current course, it can complicate your SC500 visa application, and you may not meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirements which may lead to a visa refusal.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
If you have recently completed your studies in Australia and hold or held a student visa, you may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). This visa allows you to temporarily live, study, and work in Australia after finishing your qualifications. The duration of this visa can range from 2 to 4 years, depending on the qualification you obtained. The Graduate (SC 485) visa has two streams:
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream: For international students who recently graduated with skills and qualifications related to an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream: Primarily for students who have completed a higher education degree from an Australian institution, making it a popular choice among recent graduates.
General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visas
Australia values skilled talent, and if your occupation is in demand, you may qualify for a general skilled migration (GSM) visa. These visas are points-test based, which requires you to meet criteria such as work experience, English language proficiency, and other requirements. Available options include:
Do not forget about the Bridging Visa!
If you apply for a new visa before your current student (Subclass 500) visa expires, you will typically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) (Subclass 010). This bridging visa keeps you legally in Australia after your current visa expires. You should not leave Australia on a BVA, as it will end upon departure, and you will not be allowed to re-enter. If you need to leave and re-enter Australia, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) (Subclass 020) once your BVA is granted and activated.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Be mindful of your student (SC 500) visa expiry dates and conditions; if your current student visa has expired, you may be unlawful, and your options for applying for a new visa will be limited. Contact us at Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyer(s), and our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents specialising in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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