No plans to limit Australian student visa numbers
July 05 2010 by Liam Clifford
The Australian immigration department announced last week that it will not be limiting the number of Australian work visas it issues this year.
The Australian High
Commission released the statement following reports that as many as 15,000
foreign students studying in Australia might be forced to return home. The
statement read: "First, we are making changes to Australia's skilled immigration
programme not our student visa programme."
The commission was also keen
to highlight that any changes were not aimed solely at India. "They are not
targeted at India or any other country. They were not triggered by the problems
of the last year over attacks on Indian students," it said.
It went on to
state that there was no plans to limit the number of Australian student visas available to
foreigners who want to come and study in Australia this year or in years to
come. In fact, it was keen to highlight the fact that anyone living in Australia
on a student visa can apply for a graduate visa after they have finished their
studies. This will allow them to live and work in Australia for a period of 18
months, after which there may be an opportunity for them to apply for a
longer-term visa or even for permanent residency.
See the latest Immigration News
