How Can You Apply for Student Visa Extension Australia 2022?

Posted by Immigration Agent Adelaide on May 16, 2022

If you hold the Australian student visa subclass 500, you can extend it provided you meet the extension requirements. The extension is basically applying for a new student visa altogether. The application process differs depending on where you are applying from. If you are submitting a student visa 500 application while onshore, you will be granted a Bridging Visa A, which would allow you to stay in Australia while your application is under process. However, if you apply from outside Australia, you will have to wait until your visa is granted before entering Australia.

Read on to know how you can proceed with your student visa extension process.

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What Do You Need To Extend Your Student Visa?

In order to extend your student visa, you will have to submit a new visa application before your existing one expires. If you fail to apply in time, you could face deportation, and that could impact your future visa applications. You would need the following to apply for your student visa extension:

Confirmation of Enrolment

The CoE or Confirmation of Enrolment is an official document provided by the educational institution you enrol in. The CoE provides information about your enrolment status, including your course duration, total fees owed, and fees paid. When applying for a student visa extension, this document is a must. Your CoE must be valid all the time during your study in Australia, failing which your visa status may be affected.

English Language Requirements

You will need to furnish documentary evidence of your proficiency in the English language. You can appear for an IELTS, TOEFL-iBT or any other equivalent test. It is important to attach your English language test result to your application.

Overseas Student Health Cover

The Government of Australia demands all international students to maintain adequate health insurance during their entire stay period in Australia. For your student visa extension, you will have to continue your existing OSHC or Overseas Student Health Cover. Your OSHC will not automatically renew, and you will have to extend it to cover the period of your new visa.

Ensure that the start and end dates match your student visa. Get in touch with the health provider to renew your cover. Also, include your policy number when you apply for the student visa.

Medical Examination

You will need to undergo a medical examination to proceed with your student visa extension process. It will show the Department of Home Affairs that you are in sound health. You will have to furnish proof of your health checks by attaching documentation with your application. You will get a HAP number and a referral letter for a clinic from your ImmiAccount, which will outline all the required assessments you need to go through.

Financial Requirements

Your student visa application needs to include evidence that you are financially capable of covering your course fees, expenses, living and travel costs. You can provide your employment documents and proof of your annual income and other assets. You may also be requested to provide evidence of genuine access to your funds.

Also Read: Get Familiar With The Top 7 Rejection Reasons Of Student Visa 500 Application

Steps to Apply for a Student Visa Extension

1. Finding a College or University for Enrollment

• When you have chosen a field of study to pursue further, you then need to research institutions and their courses.
• If you are planning to pursue an entirely new field, you may try enrolling in a short course to check if it suits you. And, if you are sure that you should include a second field of study in your qualification, you can enrol in a second undergraduate program.
• If you choose to take a short course, make sure it is with a CRICOS-registered provider so that it conforms to your visa conditions.
• Most Australian colleges let you choose to finish an Honours year. If you are pursuing a 3-year Bachelor’s program, usually you need to add an extra year for undertaking a research project and completing a postulation.
• If you’re enrolled in a 4-year Bachelor’s program, you might have to keep up a credit or refinement normal.
• Extend, enrol and re-enrol in a study program and get your CoE from your college or university.

2. Arranging Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Once you are done with your CoE, you need to organise your health insurance. Remember that your insurance must remain valid for the entire stay period allowed by your student visa. Get in touch with the health insurance agent and renew or extend your health cover before expiry.

3. Gathering Documents Required To Extend Your Student Visa

You will have to gather several documents to apply for your student visa extension. The document checklist can vary depending on what is your home country and your selected education provider. The checklist can also change with time, so it would be better if you check the website of the Department of Home Affairs for changes.

However, the following student visa extension document checklist is required from every applicant:

• Certified copy of your birth certificate
• National ID card
• Passport ID page
• CV/Resume
• Parental consent form if you’re under 18 years
• Migration agent form 956 (if needed)
• All pages of your household registration book
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Evidence of your financial position
• OSHC policy number
• HAP ID Number
• New Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

4. Fulfilling Genuine Temporary Entrant Criteria

Next, you need to meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant or GTE criteria to extend your student visa. The GTE lets the Department of Home Affairs know whether you are genuinely interested in studying in Australia or not.

– Personal Statement
The process asks you to include a personal statement proving that you are genuinely interested. The statement should include information about your life and what value the new course will add to your future. You can also mention the situations in your home country and the potential future you could have if your student visa is extended. Ensure you attach as many documents as possible supporting all the points you mention. Your student visa application may get rejected if you fail to furnish enough supporting evidence.

5. Submitting Your Student Visa Application

• Finally, you will have to submit your student visa application from your ImmiAccount. You need to attach all the relevant documents and pay the student visa 500 extension fee to proceed.
• Once you lodge your visa application, the Department of Home Affairs will email you a letter of acceptance along with a Bridging Visa (BVA) if you made the application while onshore.
• Remember to regularly check your nominated email account for any correspondence regarding your application status. That way, you can expect your application to process faster.

If Your Student Visa Is Denied –

If your visa application is denied, the Department will email you requesting further information. However, if your visa is denied and you don’t receive any mail from the Department, you still have the option to appeal the decision with the help of immigration agents. Note that this is applicable only for onshore visa applicants.

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Summary
It’s better if you get in touch with an immigration firm for your student visa extension Australia. Immigration Agent Adelaide is a top-rated firm in Australia that can help you with your visa application process and make everything easy for you.