Foreign Students Face Tougher Visa Rules

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Foreign students face tougher Visa rules

Saturday Sep 1 00:02 AEST

International students will need to have a higher standard of English when applying to stay in Australia under visa changes that take effect.

The changes to Australia's general skilled migration program mean migrants with professional, technical or managerial skills will be required to achieve a score of six or "competent English" on an international testing system.

The previous requirement was a score of five and a vocational level of English.

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said the change would have the greatest impact on international students, many of whom seek residency and work in Australia after studying at university here.

Mr Andrews said visa applicants with advanced Australian university qualifications, skilled work experience and strong English language skills would gain extra points towards being granted residency.

"The changes (will) lead to better labour market outcomes for all general skilled migration applicants and help deliver the skills Australian employers need," Mr Andrews said.

A temporary visa will be created to enable overseas students already studying in Australia to remain here while they gain skilled work experience, improve their English language or undertake a professional year.

A new temporary visa will also be created for recent graduates from recognised overseas institutions with skills in demand in Australia.

Education Minister Julie Bishop said the changes would help maintain the international reputations of Australian universities.

The changes also include reducing the number of skilled migration visa categories and sub-classes to simplify the system.

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Foreign students face tougher Visa rules

Saturday Sep 1 00:02 AEST

International students will need to have a higher standard of English when applying to stay in Australia under visa changes that take effect.

The changes to Australia's general skilled migration program mean migrants with professional, technical or managerial skills will be required to achieve a score of six or "competent English" on an international testing system.

The previous requirement was a score of five and a vocational level of English.

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said the change would have the greatest impact on international students, many of whom seek residency and work in Australia after studying at university here.

Mr Andrews said visa applicants with advanced Australian university qualifications, skilled work experience and strong English language skills would gain extra points towards being granted residency.

"The changes (will) lead to better labour market outcomes for all general skilled migration applicants and help deliver the skills Australian employers need," Mr Andrews said.

A temporary visa will be created to enable overseas students already studying in Australia to remain here while they gain skilled work experience, improve their English language or undertake a professional year.

A new temporary visa will also be created for recent graduates from recognised overseas institutions with skills in demand in Australia.

Education Minister Julie Bishop said the changes would help maintain the international reputations of Australian universities.

The changes also include reducing the number of skilled migration visa categories and sub-classes to simplify the system.

I am not sure exactly what level this means, but it is a shame. A good friend of my family is studying in Oz. I am not sure that her English level when she went would have been high enough now. Her written English was medium to good, but orally a little weak.

She was absolutely fluent within 3 months through assimilation, which maybe could never happen with these new rules.