Option for Student VISA Extension in Australia | Apply for a new VISA

Studying in Australia is truly a rewarding experience for students from other countries. Lifetime career options and practical knowledge in the respective field encourage students’ confidence to achieve more in life. Students often come up with visa expiry issues that disturb the flow of studies. There may be many reasons why students face such problems, but the solution in every circumstance is to apply for a new student visa. Department of Home Affairs, Australia doesn’t provide students visa extension facilities but guides them to renew their visa through a new application for a study visa. Through this guide, you will learn to apply for a new student visa in Australia when the current visa is about to expire. Don’t miss reading the systematic process of extending your visa through a new application. Let’s begin!

Reasons responsible for new student visa application

While doing a course in Australia, many uncertain situations put students into a dilemma. One of those situations is extending the current visa due to many reasons, including:

• The expiry date of the visa is approaching soon before the completion of the course
• Applied to a new course to study in Australia
• Extended research program
• The thesis evaluation is still pending by the faculty
• VISA cancellation by the Home Department, Australia
• The course has been extended due to failed subjects, high absenteeism, a change in course content, or more.

How to apply - Extend the Study Period with a New VISA application

Applying for a new student visa in Australia is obligatory before the current visa expires. In case of no quick action, one may face future problems with other visa applications. So don’t procrastinate and systematically start the process. Remember to apply before three months of the old visa expiry date. This plenty of time allows students to do paperwork and other formalities in no hurry. At the same time, sufficient time is also available for application processing.  

One may apply inside or outside Australia with slight differences. While outside Australia, when you apply, the processing time is a little longer, and you have to wait for the VISA result to re-enter the country. So, choose to apply while in Australia. With a new student visa application, an inactive Bridging Visa A (BVA) is issued. Once your old visa expires, BVA automatically gets activated, and students can stay and study in the country while the application is in process. Now let’s move to the step analysis of visa extension.

Step 1 

Renew your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) if it expires

Having an Overseas Student Health Cover policy is mandatory while studying in Australia. But if the health coverage is about to expire when applying for a new student visa in Australia, renew the plan. In other cases, one can continue with the existing health plan if still valid for an extended period.

Step 2

Collect your CoE (Confirmation of Enrollment)

Attach your CoE letter with the application that confirms your reserved seat to study a course in your selected university or college. One can attach the old CoE if going to study the same course. One can also request a revised CoE from the institution if it is mandatory for the new application.

Step 3

Arrange the necessary documents

Other than the OSHC paper and CoE letter, the following documents are mandatory to strengthen your visa application to stay longer in the country. These are: 

• Birth Certificate
• Current Passport ID
• National ID card
• Updated Resume/CV
• Marriage certificate, if applicable
• Financial proofs - Deposits of funds/Government loan/Scholarship. For detailed information, visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
• GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) document - A statement addressing your genuine intention of studying in Australia. The document is written in English with a maximum 300-word limit. 
• English proficiency Proof - IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/OET/CAE scorecard
• Consent from parents (Under 18)
• Medical Certificate and PCC (Police Clearance Certificate)

Step 4

Submit the VISA application

Log in to your “ImmiAccount” and attach relevant documents to proceed with the application. Once you pay the application fee ($620), an acknowledgment is sent to your provided email ID. Check your emails for better communication with the immigration authority for smooth processing. 

Step 5

Attend Biometrics and Medical Exam

Students may get appointments for biometric and medical examinations. Biometrics is only held for first-time applicants. So, students applying to extend their stay need not go for Biometrics. However, students who have undergone health check-ups in over a year must attend another medical assessment. A HAP ID with a referral letter is created and provided to students to see the doctor at a specified clinic. The health examination report is automatically forwarded to the immigration department once the medical check-up is done. 

Step 6

VISA Outcome - Update your status

Once the visa is granted, students will be informed by the concerned visa officer. It is also mandatory to inform the Australian education provider about new visa approval for further formalities or accommodation in Australia. Also, update your current visa status in “my.unimelb” account. 

Need help with Study VISA Extension - Choose Western Overseas

This informative blog will help you lodge your visa application. But, if you need complete VISA assistance, consult the Western Overseas, Australia professional team. Here, immigration lawyers will be available to offer first-hand visa services. The certified team has fulfilled the dreams of thousands of students to study further in Australia. So, choose them to be the next dream-achiever.