New Oz visa rules decoded

Fresh visas require a fatter purse; fee waiver for those re-applying for a new course

There is good and bad news for students planning to go to Australia. Starting from January 1, 2010, overseas students who require a new visa to complete their studies at a school other than the one they applied to originally will be exempt from the A$540 (approximately Rs 22,447) student visa application charge.

Minister for immigration and citizenship Senator Chris Evans has said that although most students would be able to complete their studies on their existing student visa, some may need to enrol in a new course and would require a fresh visa.

On the other hand, those applying for a visa to study at Australian universities from the next calendar year have to show at least A$ 18,000 or Rs 7,48,000 (an additional A$ 6,000 over the earlier requirement of A$ 12,000) for a year’s study. So, if you plan to do a two-year MBA from an Australian university, you must have access to Rs 15 lakh before you apply for the visa.

Some students believe that they can make extra bucks while working part-time in
Australia, but Evans cautions: “International students can supplement their income through part-time work in Australia, but the primary purpose of a student visa is for studies, so don’t rely on part-time work to meet your expenses.” Whether you can earn in Australia as a student or not, the access to Rs 15 lakh is mandatory for a visa.

Make an appointment to apply for a UK visa
Students who wish to submit their UK visa applications at the centres in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar are required to make a prior appointment. This is being done to reduce the waiting time.

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For an appointment, e-mail to ukstudentdelhi@vfshelpline.com (for Delhi) or ukstudentchandigarh@vfshelpline.com (for Chandigarh) and ukstudentjalandhar@
vfshelpline.com (for Jalandhar).

E-mail only if your course begins on or before February 15, 2010,

and if you hold a valid visa letter. Do write your full name, passport

number, contact number and visa category. Also, attach a

scanned copy of your visa letter with your request mail.