Student Visa Please Help!!!
 

Hi all,

I'm hoping to be going to Oz in the next 9weeks on a Students Visa, can anyone give me any advice with this, I have applied to London, they said it takes up to 4 weeks to issue the visa, not sure if this is correct, or how quick they will be, I can't book flights or acommodation until I know i definately have the visa, catch 22. Also does anyone know of any good shippers in the Scotland area???? I would love to hear from anyone who has any info or who has gone to Oz on a 2 year student visa, I am a mature student and really hoping once I finish my course i will get a job and be able to stay.

Thanks for any advice :)

Re: Student Visa Please Help!!!
 

The educational institution you are headed for should have at least some answers on its website. Here is the reference for the University of Sydney www.usyd.edu.au/su/io. The University of New South Wales hosts even more international students.

International students studying in Australia is now a big business which can't work for the numbers involved unless it's well organised.

If the institution you wish to study at has issued you with an eCOE (electronic confirmation of enrolment) you are as good as in. DIMIA relies on those to be satisfied you have a place. When all is said an done your visa is only for 2 years and the great unwashed can get 1 year visas without a lot of fuss.

DIMIA is a little more relaxed about students staying on than they used to be but that isn't saying much because until recently everyone had to go home. Period.

Re: Student Visa Please Help!!!
 

Thanks for the info Banksia,

I have had my letter of confirmation of enrolement from my course provider, I just wasn't sure if that definately entitles me to the student visa, I am doing a 2 year course with the intention of finishing it within 18 months, then hopefully finding a job, my husband also has a trade which has been recognised through TRA, so at the end of my course we should both have trades and we will apply for residency, well this is our plan and I hope it works.

Thanks for your help, I would love to hear from anyone on a student visa in oz, or who have been on one and have since stayed.

Lisa
:lecture: :lecture:

Re: Student Visa Please Help!!!
 

There are some points available for those who have studied in Australia as long as they apply within 6 months of course completion. Please look in the migration booklets for more details and to see if your course meets the requirments.

I too am hoping/planning to go out to Oz on a students visa for as long as I can.
I'm too old apparently to get in on a skills visa!

So any help and information and tips greatly appreciated here too!

mercedes,

I have just applied for my students visa i'm hoping to hear very soon, it's a 2 year visa, if you need any questions answered let me know and i'll try and help as no doubt i'll have come across the problems. we had enough points for the skilled visa but we didn't want to wait so long before we got to oz, so this was the next best way. i'll be happy to help with your questions.

Lisa :) :D

Hi Lisa,

Yes a skilled talent visa sounded like it could take so long!
At the moment I'm aiming for July coz courses don't start till then (after February) but can you go earlier to settle in ?
Did you go through an agent to book your courses or direct to the college?
I've been in touch with the TAFE in Geraldton , they do courses I'd like to do and they said I could book direct through them ?!
Did you book one 2 year course , or different courses a year each ?
Is it costing a lot for the course coz TAFE quoted me NOT a lot !
After you get a course are there any other complicated things that need sorting out like references or medical ?
Have you shown a bank book to prove you have like 10k in the bank for now ?

Can you answer any of that lot.
Thanks



Cheers

mercedes,

I applied direct to the college for my course, it lasts the 2 years, and cost $15000 for the 2 years. I sent them $1000 deposit and they supply you with a COE (certificate of enrolment), you can't apply for the student visa without this, you also need a medical, and you have to prove you have enouth money in the bank to keep you for the course length, although you are allowed to work 20 hours a week if you apply in oz once your course starts. After the 2 years you apply for a temp visa with full working rights and you get that visa for 6 months to enable you to apply for an onshore skilled residency visa, you must apply within this time, onshore visas are processed within 4-6 months normally.

Hope this helps if you need any more help just let me know.

Lisa

Will your Hubby be able to work in Oz whilst youare studying? Also will you carry on with your appliction for skill visa ?

I hadnt thought of going on a student visa seems a brill idea, we are in very similar situation! What and where are you going to study?
Sorry for so many ? but suddenly quite excited!

Hi

I am currently in OZ on a student visa, it took two weeks for London to process my application, and even then there was a slight hiccup and I had to send them evidence of more funds.

I am studying a masters degree. This allows my hubby (my dependent) to work full-time and me to work part-time during term time and full-time in the hols. Courses below a masters usually only allow 20hrs for the dependent.

I would read carefully the 'rules' for getting a PR visa after studying.

Only students who have actually studied for two years can apply for the six months bridging visa, 18 months will not suffice. This enables them to stay in OZ so they can apply on-shore for a PR visa. As they have studied for 'two' years they are exempt from the recent work experience in the basic skills test. You still have to get 115 points to get PR.

If you haven't done two years study, its back to the UK for recent work experience. If your partner wants to apply for a skilled independent visa, this is an off-shore visa.

There is also the opportunity for employee nomination for yourself and your partner, but I am unsure whether this can be done on-shore.

Good luck, with your studies :lecture:, Where are you studying, I'm at UNISA in Adelaide.

Tracey

Hi there,

Lisa - thanks for that info.
My courses through the TAFE will only cost me about $1100 per year for the course in IT that I want (a bargain !!)
My only concern is that for some reason they might not be 'recognised' courses to allow me in ?? Were you given a list to choose from ? The college seem to think they are , but I've been advised to wait for an official list !

Harvey2000 - I was in your position last week ! Thinking the road to a visa was a long long one, then a throw away line by someone was that I could always do full time study and get a students visa!
As Tracey said , if you study for 2 years there, you then have an easier ride through the skilled persons visa.
Unfortunately , I will be just over 45 when I get to the 2 years , so that one won't work for me !!!!
For 24 hours though I thought it might if I went over and started studying in this semester i.e. having to sort everything out for 2nd February !!!!!
Then realised , no way, so panic over and just aiming for July now.

Tracy - well done , you've got it sorted.
I don't have a hubby to work for me, so I have to finance it all. But I can and will.
And littlun is coming too. He's 9 and apparently his schooling is covered !
How have you sorted out your medical insurance, coz they said I have to do that.

I will therefore be studying and keep on doing so as long as they let me !!!!!! or as long as my son likes it over there !

Any more points from anyone ? Please !

Mercedes

Harvey200 -

Sorry, forgot to say, I'm planning on studying IT at the TAFE in Geraldton.
There are two one year courses.
Only the 1st one has a July start, so there is a gap of 6 months before the 2nd one (Diploma level) starts and I plan to do a carpentry course then that I've always fancied doing.!

My IT skills that I was trying to use for a skilled visa are on main frame and too old to help now, and my sports coaching would only get me in for jobs working out of school hours - when my littlun wants me around, so thats pretty much out too, unless I get desperate!

What would you study and where are you aiming to go ?

Merc

Re: Student Visa Please Help!!!
 

Do not know if it different for you but my daughter got her student visa yesterday. London received her application on the23 dec, we found that we have been asked to provide information that was not on the form so it might be useful to find A levels or other qualification certificates in anticipation of this. The proof of funding changed greatly to what we had previously been told. Uni told us and this was confirmed by all other documentation that we would have to show $27000 however london stated $80,000. When asked about the difference it appears to be if you want the visa you comply with what they want. You can not work on this visa you have to apply for permission to work once you have commenced your course (sorry cant remember the visa number ).
Hope this helps

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for that. The proof of income amount is interesting - I'd better prepare for that one !

Has your daughter just left school/college ? Is that why they might be asking for A level certs ?

I have 20 years work experience in another side of the industry that I hope will be acceptable to them !?

Does anyone know if it is OK to study in regional institutes ?

The official list shows TAFE in Perth but doesn't list TAFE in Geraldton although I know its linked to it and the lecturer says its OK! I need to be sure before applying though !!!??

Cheers

Hi
Yes daughter has just left school, however, for the visa they only ask for the certificate issued by the uni saying you have been accepted onto a courseand commencement date. The uni sees A level certs ect and desides if you are suitable.

As I undersand it all study is privatly funded ie you.

You will need to get Confirmation of Enrolment as you have to provide this for you student visa.

Sarah

Thanks for that Sarah,

Yes, the college I want to go to have said that they would accept me as I am !!! So, no, I wouldn't have to send them proof!

ARe you going with your daughter ?
Where is she off to ?
She must be excited - it is a wonderful place to go to.

I still need to know if I can go to a regional TAFE !!!???

Merc

Hi Merc

Yes daughter is very excited, she is going to Notre Dame uni in Fremantle.

No we are not going with her but should be out in oz (Adelaide) by october if all goes well. I'm waiting for my skills assessment to come through from the oz nursing council.

Sorry still cant help you about TAFE though

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

I've just heard from an agent in Oz that I can do courses at the TAFE in Geraldton but the ones she's listed are different to the ones the lecturer actually taking the courses said they are doing !!!
She also quoted much higher fees!

Who do I trust and who do I go to, to find out for sure what I can do ????????????

aaaaaaagggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!

suggestions please on a postcard !!

Merc

When I saw your post, I suspected the fees were wrong. TAFE fees for residents are much cheaper than University fees for residents. Fees for both for international students are much higher.

Staff in these institutions still think in terms of their domestic students. The only reliable information must be through the International Offices of your target institution. The "normal" staff don't have a clue.

If the price is too good to be true; it isn't.

Hi Banksia,

Yes, I guess I'd agree and thats fine but I'd still rather book direct with the people who know the actual courses and get my eCOE from them.

I'm going to email Geraldton direct giving them my whole situation and asking them to check with Head Office that all is OK for me to get a visa with !

Surely that should be safe enough ?

merc

Hi Mercedes,

I think you need to look at the booklet associated with your level of course.

I have to pay for my childrens schooling ($3600each per year), as far as I am aware all international students have to.

I had to pay some of my fees and a year of the kids fees to get our certificates of enrolment. I also had to pay for overseas student health cover, my uni sorted this out for me but it is through medibank private. All before I applied for the visa.

I had to prove I had funds to cover our living expenses(using the immigrations scale), cost of the course, flights back, school fees for the kids, and health cover.

We also had to have medicals, but no police checks.

Good luck,

Tracey

It should be but TAFEs are comparatively new to the concept of international students and are more geographically disbursed. Thousands of international students come from Asia to learn bean counting; few want to be plumbers; they can learn that at home.

The normal starting point is through the international office of your chosen institution.

Hi Merc
The fees for my daughter are $13000 per year. However if you are able to get a PR visa from that point we have been advised but will not hold breath the fee structure changes to oz res and then reduces. Our hope is that buy the time the next instalment is due will have PR visa and have no more to pay for the year.

Try and contact Geraldton TAFE direct and ask them to send you details as an overseas student. I know you said yesterday that you had problems tracking them down but maybe you can get the info you need through the uni they are connected with they should have an international dept that would be able to advise you. As far as costs go we have found the uni costs are correct but the proof of finance that you send to the high commision for the student visa may change!!

Sarah

I wonder if London is seeing dollars and saying pounds. There must surely be accurate data at www.immi.gov.au.

Mercedes,

My course starts in Brisbane on 22/3/04, I have my medicals tomorrow and hope everything goes ok, we have been told that London issue the sudent visa within 4 weeks, fingers crossed. I am training to be a hairdresser, 2 year course which is so different from what i do here as i have been a customs officer for 15 years, but i thought if everything goes wrong after the 2 years then i can go anywhere in the world, everyone needs a hairdresser and i can work flexible hours as i have 2 kids. We had to get a certificate of enrolment from my course provider who is recognised (be careful as you won't get your visa if they are not recognised). I also had to get a certificate of enrolment for my 6 year old daughter to prove we can get her into a school one we arrive, a years is $4000, also private medical insurace at $1248.00 per year for family cover, my college is arranging this.

We are hoping to go and my husband is going to apply for the skilled offshore as he has enough points, and hopefully we will get our PR, if not i will apply once my 2 year course is up and hope for the best. At least getting a student visa is a start, but an expensive one, I will use all my savings but at least i get a new life for my family.

If you need any more info just let me know

Hope this helps

Lisa :)

Hi Lisa,

That info is brilliant as I have similar things to sort out as you
like schooling and healthcare.

I now know that I have to sort out a COE for my son at school too . that helps. Now I can ask around to see where he should go!

I have asked the college to check their 'international status' and for what help they can give me.
I am also looping round and round the websites finding all sorts of bits of info.

Are you having your medical check before you send in your application form , or did they tell you to do it?

Changing to be a hairdresser - now that sounds interesting.
Where are you doing that and what sort of hours is the course?

It'll all work out - don't worry !!!


Tracey - I seem to be missing the booklet. Where will I find one? and an actual application form for the students visa ? Are they on the imi site ?

Thanks all.

Merc

Merc

Merc,

If you go to Immi.gov.au and pick studying in Australia, you will see every bit of info you need from forms to booklets and registered courses, it tells you everything you can think of.

I start my course in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, its a school just for hairdressing and is 2 years full time 9 till 5, with all the school holidays off. I got in touch with Queensland Education who sent me all the forms for my daughters Certificate of Enrolment, wherever you are planning to stay in Australia will have there own education department, try checking it on the net, thats all i did, they were very helpful, also you should check with your course provider when you get one as they deal with international stidents all the time i bet, so they will keep you right. Once you get over to Oz you can apply for the right to work which lets you and your spouse work 20 hours per week, but he could always try and get employment sponsorship, or apply for the skilled offshore. At least you will be in Australia which make it easier to find out what you need to do to get PR.

Any questions that pop up along the way just ask as i have been in the position you are at present.

Lisa :cool:

Hi Lisa,

I've been round in circles on the imi site and I must be thick. I cannot find anything that looks like a visa application form.
Everything just seems to say - you will need etc etc.

Which button do I press ?

signed

thicko merc

Merc,

Look at this http://www.immi.gov.au/study/applying/index.htm, this tells you all the things about studying, also look at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au which is helpful

Lisa :)

Merc,

Go to the London immigration site, it explains things much easier, its www.australia.org.uk it tells you all the forms and everything you need to know and that is where you send your application once complete.

Lisa

hey Lisa,

I found the forms !!!!!

Is your course an 'Approved Scheme' as far
as paying visa application charges ?
i.e. does that refer to an approved course ?


Thanks

Merc

Hi Merc,

My course is a certificate III, and comes under a vet course (vocational education and training) subclass 572, if you look on the london immi site, under student visa's you will see a part about student visa subclasses, this tells you the different student visa's you can get, there are 6 different types. You will be able to tell what yours comes under depending what type of course your doing.

lisa :cool:

Hi Lisa,

Yes, my course is the same sort as yours, same classification etc but does that mean its an 'approved scheme' and nothing to pay as an application charge (according to form 990i)
or does it come under 'all other cases' ?

Thank you ......

Merc

Keep working at it Merc it sounds like your doing well. Just check the nothing to pay bit we thought that and rechecked before we found the fee. But maybe you will be luckier with yours.

Sarah

Thanks Sarah,

I do feel I have moved along so far in the last few days just thanks to all of you on this forum.

The wonder of the net!
I just have to make sure I'm on it when I get to Oz !!!!

Do you know where 'Approved Scheme ' is defined ?
Is it the same as 'Approved course ' ?

I don't mind paying the money, but I don't want to be stupid !!

Cheers to all

Merc

I WILL get there in the end !!

Hi

We checked with the uni when daughter had her interview and they sent the confirmation in writting of available finances, the application form for the visa did not stipulate the amount needed.
We queried the amount of finance needed with london but they made it quite clear you cant fund to the amount they state they will not give you the visa so what can you do.

Sarah

Sorry Merc I cant help you there but they should be the same.
You could always try emailing immigration but they take along time to apply. The other option is to email TAFE that you want to attend and then you hopefully have a reply by morning.

Sarah

Merc,

My course fees in total are $15000.00, and I pay $400.00 for my students visa, I pay $2248.00 for 2 years family cover health insur and $4000.00 per year to put my daughter into school. Then you have to have the amount in the bank they state to keep you and your family per year, think it's about $40000.00 per year something like that. It's expensive!!!! :eek:

You have hit the nail on the head there 'they state' we had been told one year but they told us it had to be for the entire course which is four years.

Sarah

OK so now at least I know I have to pool all monies together into one account to show enough there for a couple of years !

At which point do I have to show the bank statement ?
At time of applying for the visa or after they have nearly approved it ? (Thats a few weeks apart !)

Merc