Australia announced on Monday that it had more than doubled the visa fee for international students, the latest move by the government to rein in record migration, which has intensified pressure on an already tight housing market. From July 1, the international student visa fee has risen to A$1,600 ($1,068) from A$710, while visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas are banned from applying onshore for a student visa. 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 C$150 ($110) respectively. The latest move follows a raft of actions since late last year to tighten the student visa rules as the lifting of COVID-19 curbs in 2022 boosted annual migration to record levels. “This is not good for our economy or our universities, both of which rely heavily on international student fees,” Sheehy said in an emailed response.

Source: International New York Times July 01, 2024 10:18 UTC