Student Visa Extensions Melbourne, Australia

Student Visa Extension Processing Time Australia

You need to apply for a new student visa (subclass 500) before the term of the existing visa expires. While there is no set or committed timeline for this visa processing, it usually takes 12-14 weeks for the immigration office to process this visa application.

Cost of a Student Visa Extension

The cost of a student visa subclass 500 is AUD 630 for the main applicant. The cost of family members who are added to the visa is extra. There are also additional charges for police checks, biometrics and health checks.

The students might be eligible for a fee waiver if they could not complete their course on the existing visa due to COVID-19. You need to fill out form 1545 for this.

Applicants need to have held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020. Check with your visa agent before applying for a fee waiver.

What are the Eligibility & Requirements for Student Visa Extension in Australia?

Here are the basic requirements that you need to meet:

• Must be a genuine applicant
• Welfare arrangements (for students under 18 years)
• Must be on a valid student visa
• Have to meet English language requirements
• Must meet the character and health requirements
• Needs to have an ongoing or a new course enrolment
• Health insurance is required for the period of your extended stay
• Must sign the Australian values statement
• Must not have had visa refusal in the past

Document Checklist for Student Visa Extension

Here are the documents that you need:

• Passport identity page along with the immigration stamp
• Birth certificate’s certified copy
• CV
• OSHC policy’s number
• CoE
• Documents proving your financial status
• Personal statement that should include the reason for extension or new visa, the importance of the course for you and the situation in your home country and Australia.

How to Apply for Student Visa Extension Australia?

Here are the steps to apply for Student Visa Extension in Australia:

1. Step 1: Extend your health cover:

   You need to extend your health cover for the duration of your extended stay in Australia. This needs to be submitted along with your visa application.

2. Step 2: Get an updated CoE (Certification of Enrolment):

   • An important part of your visa application is the Certification of Enrolment.
   • Carefully check your CoE before applying for the new visa.
   • You may need to request a new CoE that shows the completion date of your course.

3. Step 3: Enrol in the course you want:

   • If you are enrolling in a new course, you need to get proof of enrolment and the CoE before you apply for your new visa that will extend your stay in the country.
   • You need to enrol at a CRICOS registered course at an accredited educational institution to be eligible for a student visa subclass 500.

4. Step 4: Collect your documents:

   All your documents, including personal documents, CoE, health cover, financial documents, etc., need to be collected before applying for a visa.

5. Step 5: Demonstrate your financial capability:

   • Applicants must required to show their financial capability of paying for their college fees, living expenses etc.
   • If any dependents or family members are included in the application, the individual must show proof of financial means and support for their stay and living expenses in Australia.

6. Step 6: Bridging visa is granted till your visa is processed:

   • If you are applying for a new visa inside Australia, you will be granted a Bridging Visa A before the expiration of the existing visa.
   • This allows you to stay in Australia legally until your new student visa application is processed.
   • Suppose you are applying for a visa outside of Australia. In that case, you must wait before your application is decided upon and a visa is granted to re-enter Australia.

7. Step 7: Submit your visa application:

   • Once you have gathered all documents, go ahead and apply online.
   • While filling out the application, take care as false or incorrect information can lead to rejection.
   • Meanwhile, incomplete information can delay your visa processing as the immigration department has to ask for updates and additional information from you.

8. Step 8: Wait for the result:

   • After you have applied for the visa, wait for the outcome of the visa application.
   • The immigration department provides you in writing about the result of the visa application.
   • Successful applicants are provided with the visa grant number, visa conditions and the visa expiration date.