How to convert visitor visa to student visa in Australia

When applying for an Australian visitor visa, you must state why you want to enter the country.

Visitor visas are issued for limited stays like when you want to enter the country for tourism, visit family or friends, attend business meetings or conferences, participate in workshops, and receive medical treatment.

They are not necessarily for study purposes unless you are going for a short lecture.

When you want to study in Australia, especially for long-term courses, you need to obtain a student visa, however, as a potential international student, if you have entered the country on a visitor visa and love what you see, you may want to convert your visitor visa to a student visa.

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Australia is one of the best countries in the world to study, the country is known for its high standard of living and welcoming immigration policies which many international students take advantage of.

If you have chosen to study in Australia, you made a great choice, one, you will always be proud of.

However, entering the country on a visitor visa will not automatically make you a student in the country, to become a student, you have to switch status – from visitor status to student status.

Can I convert my visitor visa to a student visa in Australia?

No, you cannot automatically convert your visitor visa to a student visa while in Australia. If you want to study in Australia, you’ll need to apply for a student visa separately.

Get this, your current Australian visitor visa cannot be automatically changed to a student visa but you can apply for admission, get an offer, accept the offer and apply for a student visa, all while you are in the country on a visitor visa.

Once this change is complete, you can now change your status from a visitor to a student. In this case, your visitor visa which brought you to Australia is separate from the student visa which you now possess.

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When you have a visitor visa in Australia, it can’t be extended or changed into a different visa type, like a student visa.

If you’d like to stay longer in Australia as a visitor, you’ll need to apply for another visitor visa.

In the same way, if you want to switch from a visitor to a student, you have to apply for a student visa and get approval.

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This is the only way to convert a visitor visa to a student visa in Australia.

Can you apply for a student visa while on a tourist visa?

Yes, you can apply for a student visa while you’re in Australia on a tourist visa. However, the only way you will get approval for the student visa is if you meet all the requirements to be an international student in Australia.

How to convert a visitor visa to a student visa in Australia

To convert your current visitor visa in Australia to a student visa,  apply for and get admission to study in an approved institution in Australia.

If you want to get started, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Choose a course to study

While in Australia as a visitor, take your time and explore different institutions in the country, check the available courses and select a course that matches your career interests and goals.

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Step 2: Apply and receive an offer of admission

To become a student, you must apply for and get admission to study your chosen in an approved institution in Australia.

Once your application for admission is approved, the institution will send you an offer letter, which you will accept.

Accepting this letter makes you a verifiable student of the institution and you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment letter (CoE).

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Before applying to study a particular course, ensure that the course meets the requirements for a student visa.

With your admission secured, you can apply for a student visa.

Step 3: Get the student visa requirements

To apply for a student visa in Australia, you need more than filling out the application form and creating an ImmiAccount.

What are the requirements for an Australian student visa?

• The Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) issued to you: You must have a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) for the course you applied for before you can apply for your student visa. Your course must also be registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
• Provide a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE): This requirement is a prove that you intend to stay in Australia temporarily for study purposes and that you will return to your home country after your program.
• You need to provide proof of funds: You must show proof that you have enough money to sponsor yourself in the country while studying. You can present your bank statement or other financial proof like sponsor letters, or scholarship documents.
• Health Insurance: You need to get an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to cover your medical costs while in the country.
• English language proficiency: Providing proof of your language proficiency like IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is not a compulsory requirement, it depends on your country of origin and history. If your previous education was done in the English language, you don’t need to provide this. In addition, if your chosen institution doesn’t require proof of English language proficiency, then you don’t need it. If this is not the case, then you must provide proof of your language proficiency.
• Health and Character certificate: You need to get a health certificate from a designated panel physician. In addition, get a police clearance certificate or similar document to prove your good character.
• A completed student visa application form: Complete the student visa application form online through the Australian Government’s Immigration website (ImmiAccount).

With these documents ready, you can proceed with your application.

Step 4: Create an ImmiAccount

To complete your student visa application, create an account on the Australian Government’s Immigration website (ImmiAccount) and start a new student visa application.

Fill out the student visa application form correctly and provide only accurate information about yourself.

Upload all documents listed above and pay the visa application fee.

How much is the student visa fee in Australia?

The Australian student visa application fee is AUD$710. This fee is for the base application, it does not include other miscellaneous fees like the biometrics collection fee or credit/debit card charge.

Before submitting your application, you need to read, understand and agree to comply with student visa conditions.

They include maintaining full-time enrollment, satisfactory academic progress, and informing the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to your contact details or circumstances.

Also, read: How do I get my passport reference number?

As someone who is currently on a visitor visa to Australia, you may not be required to carry out biometric capturing but if it is required, you have to do it.

Step 5: Wait for a decision on your application

After submitting your application, wait for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.

If your application is complete, you won’t be called to provide additional documents however, if there is any missing document in your application, then you will be contacted to provide the missing documents.

To speed up the processing of your application, ensure that you submit a complete application.

Step 6: Receive visa grant

Once your student visa is approved, you’ll receive a visa grant notification.

Upon receiving the notification, review the conditions of your visa and ensure you keep these conditions while in Australia.

With your student visa secured, you have now transitioned to a student from a visitor.

If you need to leave the country to your home country and prepare before coming back for your studies, you are allowed to do so.

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