Student visa extension - A comprehensive guide

If students want to extend their student visa, they must apply for a new visa before the current visa ends. If they don't, they could be expelled from Australia, which could also affect their chances of getting a visa in the future.

Note: Students must understand that there is no such thing as an "extension" of a student visa in Australia. To legally "extend" their study in Australia, students must apply for a new student visa. More on that later.

• If the current course takes longer to complete than the student visa expiry date.

• If students are taking a new course.

• If the visa expires during the examination.

• If students need additional time to complete research and thesis (especially PhD or postgraduate students).

• If students face academic challenges due to failed subjects, not meeting the course requirements, delayed withdrawal from courses, or taking a leave of absence due to personal or medical issues.

Here is the complete step-by-step application process for applying for the student visa "extension":

Step 1: Extend Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

The Australian government requires all international students to have health insurance. Students can continue with their existing Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Contact the respective health insurance provider to extend the coverage end date. Looking for the best deals? Contact us.

Step 2: Request a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

Students must obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from their educational institution. They will receive a CoE after accepting an offer to study a specific course and paying their Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and tuition fees.

Step 3: Gather required documents for student visa "extension"

Once students have their CoE and extended OSHC, they should start preparing application documents. The document requirements may vary depending on the educational institution and visa conditions. Here is the list of required documents you must collect for a student visa "extension":

• A national ID card and a copy of your birth certificate.
• A copy of your passport
• All the pages in your passport must contain Australian immigration stamps.
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your university or educational institution.
• Parental consent letter if you are under 18 years.
• Proof that you have extended your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
  Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Migration agent form 956 (if applicable)
• Police clearance certificates

Personal statement:

• Students should provide a personal statement to the Department explaining their studies extension, how the course aligns with their future goals, and why they chose Australia over their home country.

Financial documents:

• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses and tuition fees.
• If students have taken an education loan, they must provide evidence of the loan agreement and must demonstrate their ability to cover costs while living and studying in Australia.

Step 4: Submit Australian student visa "extension" application

• Create and log in to ImmiAccount, attach the necessary documents, and lodge your application.

Step 5: Attend biometrics

• Students may need to submit their biometrics within 14 days of receiving the letter and instructions after lodging the application.

Step 6: Undergo medical examination

• A medical examination is required if students want to apply for any visa in Australia. If they do not meet the health requirement, their visa application may be refused.

Step 7: Hold a valid visa

• Students will be granted a Bridging visa A (BVA) if their current visa expires. This visa allows them to stay and work in Australia while waiting for another visa.

Step 8: Await visa processing

• The Department of Home Affairs will review your visa application. They might contact you if they need any additional documents. If your visa is granted, inform your educational institution as soon as possible.

We recommend a student visa "extension" only when the existing visa has four months remaining. If students apply beforehand, this could delay processing of the visa application. Students can, however, still request a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from their education institution.

Note: If a student visa was cancelled due to a breach of visa conditions, seek professional advice as soon as possible.

Students can no longer extend a student visa. So, they will have two options:

• Apply for a student visa again.

OR

• Apply for a visitor visa.

Note: Students can't work on a visitor visa, and they can stay for 3, 6, or 12 months. Find more details on the visitor visa here.

If students currently don’t hold a visa, they must inform the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) that their visa has expired. The DHA will grant you a Bridging Visa A (BVA) as soon as your current visa expires. BVA is a temporary visa that allows students to legally reside in Australia while waiting for a new student visa.

Note: Students can't travel outside Australia on a Bridging Visa A; otherwise, they will lose the right to return to Australia, and the visa will be cancelled.

If students demonstrate strong reasons to travel outside Australia, they can apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB). This visa allows them to travel back and forth to Australia until their new student visa is processed. They can use Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) to check their visa details and conditions.

If students have been granted a new student visa (subclass 500), then they get several benefits, such as:

• Can stay up to 5 years.
• Can travel in and out of Australia.
• Can work up to 48 hours per fortnight and unlimited hours during semester holidays.
• Can include family members (partner and children).

Search Education is a MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 0960025) based in Sydney, Australia. We have decades of experience with student visa applications and have guided thousands of students. We know visa applications can be challenging and overwhelming. Our team works closely with you, from preparing documents to meeting your student visa renewal requirements.

Whether your course is taking longer than expected, your plans have changed, or your visa is about to expire soon. Don't panic; all international students have gone through this obstacle, and we will guide you every step of the way to secure your chance to stay longer and legally in Australia.

Contact us about a student visa extension.