(File Photo)
In a significant move in the country's immigration strategy, the Australian government has put a ban on the existing visa-hopping system.
Issuing a press note on Wednesday, the Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O'Neil said the visitor visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visa onshore.
"Our Migration Strategy outlines a clear plan to close the loopholes in international education and this is the next step in delivering that plan," said Minister O'Neil in the press note.
Similarly, with the adoption of this rule, Temporary Graduate Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore, the press note said. In their recent Graduates in Limbo report, the Grattan Institute found that 32 percent of Temporary Graduate Visa holders are returning to study when their vasas expire in order to prolong their stay in Australia.
These changes support a range of other changes that are being implemented for Temporary Graduates visa holders on July 1. These include significantly shorter post study work rights, reduced age limits from 50 to 35 years of age, and increased English language requirements which were implemented in March, said the press note.
