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Less than a month after the new student visa policy took effect on 2 October, the Department of Home Affairs has finally updated its website with further details on offshore renewals!
Overall, there is some good news. In particular, some eligible offshore student visa applications can receive priority processing, with the Department aiming to finalise them within five working days!
Two situations eligible for priority processing within five working days for offshore renewals
- A compulsory placement requires a transfer or an extension, such as a clinical placement in nursing or medicine.
- The student has been studying normally and making progress at their original institution, then transfers to a similar institution to continue a course at the same level.
Note: students who have not properly commenced their studies, have deferred for a long period, transfer within 12 months of arriving in Australia, or have made limited study progress generally do not qualify for the priority processing above.
Comparing the Department’s two official examples
Linh (nursing student): she transfers because of her clinical placement arrangements, and her institution approves a 16-month extension. Although she must go offshore to renew her visa, she receives priority processing because the transfer is justified by a compulsory placement requirement.
Carlos (Diploma student): he moves from regional Victoria to Melbourne, changes institutions and courses, and also defers along the way. Although he too must go offshore to renew his visa, his application will be processed within standard timeframes.
Clearly, the reason for transferring and the student’s previous study progress are very important!
Practical arrangements for offshore renewals
You can complete your health examination in Australia before you leave!
In this update, the Department specifically reminds students that they can use My Health Declarations in advance to check whether they need a health examination.
If required, you can obtain a HAP ID and complete the examination with Bupa in Australia before leaving to lodge your student visa application, helping to minimise the time spent waiting offshore.
After lodging offshore, you may also be able to return to Australia to await a decision!
If your existing visa is still valid, you can consider returning to Australia on that valid visa while your application is processed.
But note: an offshore application does not give you a bridging visa, and you must still be offshore when your new student visa is granted! The Department may ask you to leave Australia again.
Nearing the end of your course: using a Subclass 600 visitor visa as an interim option and the risks
Nearly finished your course but ineligible to renew your visa onshore?
For example, you may have transferred previously and have only two or three months of your course left, or need to sit your final exams in Australia.
The Department specifically mentions that in some urgent situations, applying for a Subclass 600 visitor visa can be considered as an interim option. This usually allows three months of study or training.
However, a Subclass 600 visa may affect your eligibility for a subsequent Subclass 485 graduate visa. You also cannot apply for a Subclass 500 student visa onshore while holding a Subclass 600 visa, so the overall situation needs to be assessed!
Overall, these details bring some good news for students who must go offshore to renew their visas. Students who have transferred, had their graduation delayed or have a student visa nearing expiry should plan ahead!
