Vietnamese students face longer wait for Australian visa approval

The surge in applications has overwhelmed the evaluation process, with a reported increase of about 50% from last year, although specific numbers were not disclosed by Deschamps.

Australia is placing a greater emphasis on ensuring that applicants genuinely intend to study, rather than seek employment or other opportunities. In addition to requiring financial proof, evaluators examine invitation letters, the schools and courses chosen and applicants’ language certificates, among other criteria.

Deschamps advises students to submit their applications early and to connect with peers already studying in Australia for insights and advice.

As of the end of April, more than 37,000 Vietnamese students were studying in Australia, marking a 49% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Australian Department of Education.

However, a report from the Australian Department of Home Affairs noted that only 12,600 Vietnamese students were granted visas for ten months starting from July last year. This represents 78.7% of all Vietnamese applicants, the lowest approval rate in 18 years.

Australia is a popular destination for international students, alongside the U.S. and Canada. Tuition fees for international students range from AUD24,000 to 52,000 ($15,845 to $34,331) per year, as noted by IDP.

In 2022, Australia implemented policies to attract workers post-Covid. However, the influx of both workers and students has strained the housing market, prompting Australia to tighten its policies regarding international students.

As of February, international students can stay in Australia for up to four years after graduation, a reduction from the previous six years. Additionally, the IELTS score requirement increased by 0.5 points to a minimum of 6.0 starting in March. Students are also required to undergo the Genuine Student test to ensure their visas are used for educational purposes.