The federal government is tightening restrictions on international students and migration professionals to curb what it calls "visa hopping" and attempts to exploit the migration system. New measures will require students to apply for an additional visa to switch courses, building on existing rules that already block transfers to lower-level qualifications. Authorities are also scrutinizing migration agents and lawyers suspected of offering misleading advice to those seeking to remain in Australia. These steps form part of broader efforts to reduce the number of overseas arrivals through the student visa pathway.
Migration agents and lawyers ‘selling false hope’ to people seeking to stay in Australia also in ministers’ sights as they seek to reduce overseas arrivalsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcast“Visa hopping” international students, migration agents and lawyers trying to “game” the migration system will be targeted by the federal government, as Labor unveils a further crackdown.The changes announced on Friday mean international students will soon need to apply for a separate visa to transfer courses, on top of previously announced rules that prevent transferring to a lower grade course, such as switching from a bachelor’s or masters’ degree to a vocational program.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...
