Understand New Changes to Onshore Student Visa Application

As we know, 2024 has been a year of significant announcements and continuous changes in Australian visas and immigration policies. Here is another one!

Now, this time is for onshore students!

Now, letters of offer will no longer be accepted for onshore student visa applications.

The Department of Home Affairs has announced a new change in visa applications for onshore students. Starting from July 1, 2025, they will not accept Letters of Offer from onshore students while applying in Australia for a student visa. 

After this reform, students are required to include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of student visa submission. This change will affect applications lodged before the given date. 

In this blog post, I will explain in detail this major change to onshore student visa applications. 

Before going forward, let’s have a look at the new requirements that the Department of Home Affairs has announced for onshore student visa applications:

Key Changes in Onshore Student Visa Application:

• Inclusion of Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): For the onshore student at the time of student visa application, it is mandatory to include CoE with application. These changes were introduced to align with the requirements of both onshore and offshore visa applicants.

• Letter of Offer Will Not Be Accepted: From January 1, 2025, Letters of Offer will not be accepted for student visa applications anymore. 

• Invalid Application without CoE: Student visa applications will be considered invalid if submitted without CoE. 

Context of the Story 

For many decades, Australia has been a popular destination for international individuals to study, pursue career developments, and even obtain permanent residency. Thanks to its high-quality education, better living standards, and diverse culture, Australia is among the best places to live globally.

However, the student visa application process has been changed over many years to ensure it is aligned with the increasing needs of both international students and the Australian education sector. This latest reform in onshore student visa applications is going to be effective from January 1, 2025. It is a vital element of Australia’s ongoing efforts to align the onshore and offshore visa application requirements.

Further, the Government of Australia intends to streamline visa processing and enhance the integrity of Australia’s international education system.

What is the Reason for This Student Visa Application Reform?

The Department of Home Affairs has introduced this new reform to make these rules applicable to both onshore and offshore student visa applications and ensure a consistent student visa application process for the students.

Further, with this requirement, students must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when they apply to showcase that they are serious about studying at their chosen Australian institution, which helps to give more confidence and increase integrity in Australia’s international education sector. 

What If a Student Visa Does Not Include a Valid CoE?

If the student visa application fails to include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application submission, it will be considered valid. Here are some consequences of this situation:

• Invalid Application: With including CoE, the student visa application will not be processed or assessed by visa decision-makers.
• No Bridging Visa: If an application is considered invalid, it will prevent the decision-makers from further processing for assessment. Apart from this, if the student visa application is deemed invalid, there will be no chance of issuing a Bridging Visa that allows the applicant to stay in Australia during their visa processing. 

Note: From now on, it is crucial to make sure you have included your CoE while applying for a student visa to avoid these issues. 

Which students are an exception to this change?

This change is for onshore and offshore student visa applications. The following students are exempt from this change:

• Foreign Affairs students who are sponsored by foreign governments or international organizations.
• Defence students who are sponsored by the Australian Department of Defence.
• Secondary exchange students who have participated in the approved secondary school exchange programs.

Which Application Will Not Be Affected by This Change?

This change will not affect applications lodged before January 1, 2025, with a Letter of Offer. 

What If a Student Visa Does Not Contain a Valid CoE?

If the student visa application fails to provide CoE at the time of application, it will be considered valid. The invalid application will prevent the decision from being further processed for assessment. Further, if the student visa applications are deemed invalid, there will be no chance of issuing a bridging visa. 

Conclusion

So, these upcoming changes to the Australian student visa application process have set a new shift of change, similar to other Australian visa and immigration changes. It will help to understand how the student visa application will be handled.

By requiring a Confirmation of Enrollment from the student at the time of application, the Department of Home Affairs wants to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the visa process. They will ensure that only genuine students are granted Australian student visas.

Further, this new change in student visa application requirements will offer great certainty for Australian education providers and help maintain the high standards of Australia’s international education sector.

If you are considering applying for a student visa in Australia, don’t forget to include a CoE when you submit your application. If you need expert advice, talk to our registration agent at the Migration. He will provide you with insights into your student visa application.

Book your appointment today!