Effective January 1, 2025, Australia will require all onshore student visa applicants to submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of their application. This policy, announced by the Department of Home Affairs, replaces the previous practice of submitting a Letter of Offer. The change aims to standardize the visa application process for both onshore and offshore students.
Under the new regulations, any student visa application submitted within Australia without a valid CoE will be deemed invalid. This change will only affect applications lodged on or after January 1, 2025; applications submitted before this date with a Letter of Offer will remain unaffected.
Additionally, applicants without a valid CoE will no longer have the option to receive a Bridging visa, making it essential for current visa holders to plan ahead to avoid any gaps in their visa status.
The Department of Home Affairs emphasized that the CoE requirement reflects a student’s commitment to their institution and enhances the integrity of Australia’s international education sector. A department representative stated, “This change is part of our broader effort to strengthen confidence in Australia’s education system.”
To curb “visa hopping,” restrictions may be imposed on visa holders attempting to switch to a student visa while in Australia. However, the CoE requirement will not apply to Foreign Affairs, Defence, or secondary exchange students, who will still be able to submit alternative enrollment evidence.
Students and educational institutions are urged to ensure they have their CoEs in time for visa applications. Applications submitted without a valid CoE will not be processed, forcing applicants to seek alternative visa options or leave the country.
This change follows an increase in international student visa fees in 2024, which raised the cost of new applications from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600.
Recent Random Post:
