Young Australian visa overstayers often 'having too much fun'
October 22 2009 by Liam Clifford
A rise in overstayers is due to young people on tourist visas.
British under-25s are commonly overstaying their Australian
visas because they are “having too much fun”, according to Australian
immigration minister Chris Evans.
Speaking to the Australian Parliament, the Australian immigration minister stated that tourist visa overstayers are "often young Englishmen who have
gone to a party and are a few days late because they're having such a good time
in Sydney ... Or they've met a young lady and (they're) having a good
time."
Australian visa overstayers arrive in the country with a valid visa but
remain living in Australia for longer than their visa permits them to. As a
result they become overstayers, and after 28 days of overstaying a visa they
are not allowed to re-enter Australia for three years, regardless of whether
they leave voluntarily or not.
Australian immigration sees thousands of young British students and
gap-year travellers visit Australia each year. Many use a three-month (tourist) Australian
visa, while others choose the long-term working holiday visa. For many young
Brits, the working holiday visa may be a better option as it allows them to live
and work in Australia in temporary employment for a year or more. A large number
of people who arrive in Australia on these visas decide to move to Australia
permanently.
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