AUSTRALIAN VISA PROCEDURE AND GUIDE
Student numbers from Pakistan are on the increase with many applications received from people wishing to study in Australia. The increasing demand has meant that, as a general rule, applications are assessed without interview. Students are strongly urged to thoroughly prepare their applications and submit all required documents. Insufficient supporting material will delay the process and may lead to refusal of the application.
Student visa applications for citizens of Pakistan (living in Pakistan or New Zealand) and citizens of Afghanistan (living in Pakistan or Afghanistan or New Zealand), are processed by the Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre (AOSPC) in Australia.
Applications sent by post to the AOSPC should be directed to the following address:
Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
GPO Box 1393
Adelaide SA 5001
Australia
Applications sent by courier to the AOSPC should be directed to the following address:
Adelaide Offshore Student Processing Centre
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Level 4, 55 Currie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia
For information on visa application charges and how to pay, please visit the DIAC website at:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/students-visa-charges.htm
www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/how-to-pay.htm
Original documents, including passports, should not be sent with the student visa application to the AOSPC unless asked to do so. Certified copies of original documents should be provided – certified copies are copies that have been authorised or stamped as being true copies of originals by a notary public.
Students who have their visa application approved by the AOSPC can have a visa label placed in their passport by any DIAC office overseas. For contact details of DIAC offices overseas details please visit the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/.
Students supported by AusAID or the Australian Defence Minister will continue to be lodged and processed by the Australian High Commission in Islamabad.
Applications lodged before 1 August 2009
If a student visa application has been lodged with the Australian High Commission in Islamabad before 1 August 2009, the Australian High Commission in Islamabad will continue to process and finalise this application. It will not be transferred to the AOSPC for a decision.
If you are considering lodging a student visa application we encourage you to visit our website at www.immi.gov.au/students.
Please ensure the student visa application is lodged at least 4 months before the course of study starts in Australia. The AOSPC can be contacted using the email or telephone options provided below:
By email: offshore.student.processing.adelaide@immi.gov.au
By phone + 61 1300 652 486 (outside Australia)
1300 652 486 (inside Australia)
Important Documentation:
- Obtain a "Letter of Offer" from the Australian university / college - to study full time.
- Prepare financial documents that indicate that you have the capacity to meet the cost of tuition and living expenses in Australia, cost of airfares and travel. Your financial supporters can only be yourself, your spouse, your parents or your grand parents.
- Certified, attested copies of academic certificates, including IELTS test results.
- Required photographs (4) and your passport.
- Visa application forms can be downloaded from http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/application-forms/
- Original documents, including passports, should not be sent with the student visa application to the AOSPC unless asked to do so. Certified copies of original documents should be provided – certified copies are copies that have been authorised or stamped as being true copies of originals by a notary public.
- Medical Examination - Once your application is assessed and decided you will receive a pre-visa approval (PVA) letter with your medical examination instructions and places to go for medical examination.
- Pay Tuition Fees - You may now pay your tuition fees and medical insurance premium (OSHC) to the institution in Australia.
Points worth noting
Visa processing times can vary. Peak periods for student visa applications are December and June of each year and you should allow 12-16 weeks, but much also depends on you. If your application is in order and you have no problems with your medical check-up, transfer the fees quickly to your school in Australia. Take into account any extra time required for you to attend orientation or travel to Australia. You may need to lodge your application well in advance during peak times.
You must study full time and attend at least 95% of your classes. Failure to attend classes or abide by your visa conditions may result in visa cancellation.
You can work up to 20 hours per week. The money you earn from this part time work is not sufficient to support you financially in Australia but is a great way to get work experience and use your English.
Your visa will be issued for the length of your study in Australia. You can apply to extend your visa in Australia should you choose to further your studies.
For further details and application forms visit the following website.
www.immi.gov.au
CONTACT DETAILS:
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
Australian High Commission, Diplomatic Enclave,
G-5/4, Po Box 1046, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: 051-8355500 - Fax: 051-282 0112
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