Following Canada and the UK, Australia is preparing to tighten its immigration regulations concerning study visas. Effective March 23, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement will supersede the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) stipulation for student visa applications. Although this adjustment was announced on December 11, 2023, it will solely impact visa submissions made after March 23, 2024.
The GTE declaration plays a pivotal role in the visa application procedure as it showcases the intention to temporarily reside in Australia for educational purposes with the plan to return to one’s home country.
Under the revised guidelines, the minimum test score necessary for a Temporary Graduate visa will elevate from an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5. Similarly, for a student visa, it will rise from IELTS (or equivalent) 5.5 to 6.0.
“The validity period for a TGV English Language test is reduced from 3 years to 1 year. TGV applicants must now furnish proof that they have taken an English Language test within 1 year immediately preceding the visa application date,” stated the official notification regarding the Temporary Graduate visa (TGV).
Moreover, the Australian government has introduced a new genuine student assessment for all international students, replacing the existing GTE requirement. Additionally, high-risk student applications will undergo heightened scrutiny.
Furthermore, the financial threshold for international students to qualify for a student visa has been raised. Applicants are now required to demonstrate evidence of $24,505 in savings.
“The GS requirement centers on evaluating the student’s authentic intention to pursue studies in Australia, taking into account various factors such as the applicant’s circumstances, course progression evidence, immigration history, adherence to visa conditions, and other pertinent considerations,” as stated in the official notification.
According to government statistics, there were 100,009 Indian students in Australia in 2022. In 2019, 73,808 Indian students obtained Australian student visas, followed by 33,629 in 2020 and 8,950 in 2021. However, experts express concerns that the alterations in visa regulations might adversely impact the acceptance rate of visa applications for Indian students.
