Travelling to Australia has become expensive, student visa fees have more than doubled, Indians will be affected

Foreign students, including Indians, will now have to spend more than before to study in Australia. There has been a major change in student visa rules. Australia has more than doubled the international student visa fee from Monday. The Australian government has taken this step due to the increasing pressure on the housing market due to the recent record increase in the number of foreign students.

International student visa fees have increased from July 1. Now this fee has increased from 710 Australian dollars i.e. about 40 thousand rupees to 1600 Australian dollars i.e. about 90 thousand rupees. While students with visitor visa and temporary graduate visa will no longer be able to apply for student visa. Their application has been banned.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Claire O'Neill said, “The changes that come into effect today will help restore the integrity of our international education system. It will also create a migration system that is fairer, shorter and better for Australia.” Official data released in March showed that immigration rose 60 per cent to a record 5,48,800 by September 30, 2023.

The Australian government said the changes will help close loopholes in visa rules that allow more foreign students to stay in Australia. The government said it is also closing loopholes in visa rules allowing foreign students to stay in Australia continuously, as the number of students on second or subsequent student visas will increase by 30 per cent to 150,000 in 2022-23