Australia said on Monday it had more than doubled the visa fee for international students, the latest move by the government to rein in record migration that has intensified pressure on an already tight housing market.
Australia said on Monday it had more than doubled the visa fee for international students, the latest move by the government to rein in record migration that has intensified pressure on an already tight housing market.
From July 1, the international student visa fee has risen to 1,600 Australian dollars ($1,068) from AU$710, while visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas are banned from applying onshore for a student visa.
"The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system, and create a migration system which is fairer, smaller and better able to deliver for Australia," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said in a statement.
The rise in fees makes applying for a student visa for Australia far more expensive than in competing countries like the U.S. and Canada, where they cost about $185 and 150 Canadian dollars ($110) respectively.
Persons:
Clare O'Neil
Organizations:
Australia, Home Affairs
Locations:
Australia, U.S, Canada