The Simplified Student Visa Framework

Transcription

1 The Simplified Student Visa Framework Presentation for international education stakeholders Roadshow - April to June 2016

2 Session plan Overview of the SSVF Determining immigration risk for education providers and countries Lodging a student visa under the SSVF Student visa requirements Managing immigration risk 2

3 Overview of the SSVF 3

4 Strategic context International education is important to Australia The student visa programme facilitates genuine students Future directions consultation and reform 4

5 What are the key changes? Two new student visas: Subclass 500 Student visa Subclass 590 Student Guardian visa New combined country and immigration risk framework Mandatory online lodgement Simplification of some policy settings 5

6 Why are we making these changes? Simplification of the student visa framework Reduction in red-tape Creation of a level playing field A more targeted approach to immigration integrity 6

7 A simplified student visa framework Single student visa subclass (subclass 500) Client service tool country and provider risk model Streamlined evidentiary requirements (Documentary evidence of English and financial capacity not generally required) Regular evidentiary requirements (Documentary evidence of English and financial capacity generally required) Core student visa requirements Genuine Temporary Entrant Enrolment Health and Character Welfare arrangements (where applicable) Overseas health insurance 7

8 Country and provider risk model Country Immigration Risk One Two Three Education Provider Immigration Risk One S S S Two S S R Three S R R 8

9 Determining immigration risk for education providers and countries 9

10 Immigration risk methodology Rate of offshore refusals 10% weighting Rate of offshore fraud refusals 40% Rate of students becoming unlawful 15% Rate of visa cancellation 25% Rate of protection visa lodgement 10% 10

11 Eligibility for immigration risk rating Must have at least 50 linked student visas in each of these categories: Active student visas Offshore decisions Visas expiring Smaller providers receive default immigration risk rating of two 11

12 Reporting portal 12

13 Reporting portal Data Set Risk indicators (actual numbers and rates) Risk Index* Risk Rating Col 1 Col 2 Col 3 Col 4 Col 5 Col 6 Col 7 Col 8 Col 9 Col 10 Col Col 12 Col Col 14 Col 15 Country of Citizenship Number of Active Student visas (in effect) The number of student visa applications granted or refused where the applicant lodged overseas The number of student visas that are due to expire in the reporting period The number of student visas that were cancelled Rate of Cancellations (25%) Number of student visa applications refused because of fraud where the applicant lodged overseas Rate of Refusals by Fraud where the applicant lodged overseas (40%) Number of student visa applications refused (excluding fraud) where the applicant lodged overseas Rate of Refusals (excluding fraud) where the applicant lodged overseas (10%) Number of Protection Visa applications where previous visa held was a student visa Rate of Subsequent Protection Visa Applications applications (10%) Number of Student unlawful noncitizens Rate of Student unlawful non-citizens (15%) Risk Index Risk Index Bangladesh N/a Canada N/a Chile N/a 13 China, Peoples Republic Of 4,624 2,133 1,

14 Lodging a student visa under the SSVF 14

15 The online client service tool 15

16 Lodging via ImmiAccount 16

17 Lodging a valid application Key requirements: Form and fee Online lodgement Evidence of enrolment Evidence of welfare arrangements (under 18s) Pre-requisite visas and unlawful applicants (onshore only) 17

18 Form English and Financial questions 18

19 Student visa requirements 19

20 What s staying the same? The Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement Health and Character Most visa conditions Overseas health insurance Packaging arrangements 20

21 What no longer exists? SVP and AL Framework Academic requirements Exceptional circumstances if lodging onshore Maximum ELICOS limits Mandatory no further stay for shorter courses 21

22 The Financial requirement Further evidence only required for regular students Three options to meet financial requirement: 12 months evidence of living, tuition, travel and study costs Annual income AASES form Funds must be genuinely available 22

23 Option 12 months living, tuition, travel and study funds Funds can be provided in the form of money deposit, loan or sponsorship Amount of living cost and school funds (for school aged dependents) specified in the instrument Funds to be shown for entire accompanying family unit 23

24 Option Annual income Only applicable to annual income of student s parents or spouse Annual income must be $60k for single student or $70k if family members included Evidence must be provided in form of official government documentation 24

25 The Genuine Access requirement Funds must be genuinely available to support student while in Australia Department may consider factors including: Relationship of sponsor Income, assets and employment of sponsor Previous visa history 25

26 English language requirements Documentary evidence only required for regular students Two options to meet English requirement: Evidence of acceptable test score Exemption category 26

27 Option Evidence of acceptable test score English language test providers Minimum test score Minimum test score where combined with at least 10 weeks ELICOS Minimum test score where combined with at least 20 weeks ELICOS IELTS TOEFL (paper based) TOEFL (internet based test) Cambridge English: Advanced Pearson Occupational English Test PASS 27

28 Option Exemption category Nationals of certain countries Foreign Affairs and Defence students ELICOS, Schools, Secondary Exchange and Post-graduate research students Study of more than five years in English in certain countries Completion of study in Australia in the two years prior to application 28

29 School sector provisions Age limits Primary school GTE Grant periods 29

30 Changing courses Student must remain enrolled in a course at the same or higher AQF level for which the visa has been granted (unless changing from AQF 10 to AQF 9) Implemented through visa condition

31 Family members Mandatory declaration of family members Eligibility to include family members for shorter courses Financial requirements 31

32 Summary of key Student Guardian changes Country and provider risk model does not apply to Student Guardian visa All Student Guardian applicants must provide evidence of funds No subsequent dependents permitted 32

33 Ensuring a smooth transition Semester 2 commencements Interim web tool Processing times 33

34 Managing immigration risk 34

35 Benefits of effectively recruiting genuine students Increased visa grant rates Reduced processing times Reduced immigration risk ratings 35

36 Potential best practice Market analysis Active engagement with prospective students Effective managements of agents 36

37 Potential best practice Engagement post arrival Changing courses Review and monitor outcomes 37

38 More information DIBP website Includes: Fact sheets on the SSVF Information for students Information for education providers Detail on the GTE requirement 38