arentol

Hi fellow BE members, I have a question:


Does anyone know if DIAC places any type of restriction on how early a Student Visa holder can enter Australia prior to their course commencement?

For example:

• Course begins in February 2010
• Student Visa Application submitted March 2009
• Student Visa Application approved June 2009

...can the applicant enter Australia in June 2009 and just wait until courses begin in February 2010?


Many thanks,
Aren -

goldchoccycoin

No, I'm pretty sure the validity of the visa will be for a restricted time before the start of the course (I seem to remember mine was only valid from 5th Jan for a Feb 20 start date even though I applied a few months earlier (although this was 5 years ago).

I don't see why though really, as you would not have work rights until your course starts so you would only be spending money!

Good luck!

lovelyshine

Did you manage to submit the student visa application early? I tried applying for it online but they say I can only submit it 124 days before the start of my course.

pumpkin blossom

Yes, have they changed the rules?
When we applied last year you could only APPLY for it 4 months before if off shore or 3 months before if on-shore. But once granted you could arrive any time.
We had been considering coming over on a holiday visa and buying a camper, and then applying while onshore, but our house buyer was an ass so that didn't happen.

balkanghost

If on AL1 i.e. British, one solution to get out earlier is take Tourist Visa/ETA then applying for student visa onshore. Remember, you cannot work on ETA

lovelyshine

I wanted to add that I received instructions from DIAC that students should not arrive in Australia before the student visa is granted. If we do, we may need to withdraw the application and file an onshore application.

pumpkin blossom

Yes, it does make it pretty clear on the immigration website that the off shore visa is for people who are not in the country, or one shore visa if you are. They are very quick to issue though so you should be able to plan around it. Mine took 2 weeks.

arentol

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input to my original question, I really appreciate it!

Kind regards,
Aren -