Australia Visas for Indian students drop by 78 per cent

In the year 2008-09, 54,574 offshore Australia visa grants were issued to Indian students, but from July 2009 to March 2010 only 11,862 Australia visas were issued: a drop of 78 per cent.

The Australian Immigration Department has put in place stricter Australian Student Visa rules and removed incentives for overseas students to apply for a study course to win permanent residency.  The Australian Immigration minister Senator Chris Evans said the changes do not affect international students who want to come to Australia to study and then return home.

Under transitional arrangements, international students who were in Australia prior to February 8, 2010 and hold a vocational, higher education or postgraduate Australian Student Visa are able to apply either for permanent residence if their occupation is on the Australian SOL. Alternatively they can apply for a temporary skilled graduate visa on completion of their studies.

A skilled graduate visa allows former students to spend 18 months in Australia to acquire work experience and seek sponsorship from an employer willing to sponsor them into a job using those skills.

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Australia visa applications with the Australian Embassy in Australia House London.