A timely reminder of the new changes to student visas

As of January 1, 2025, the Department of Home Affairs no longer accepts Letters of Offers for Student visa applications in Australia. Onshore applicants must now include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application. This change only affects applications lodged on or after January 1, 2025. Applications submitted before this date with a Letter of Offer are not impacted.

Without a CoE, an application will be invalid, and visa decision makers cannot assess it. An associated Bridging visa cannot be granted if the substantive visa application is invalid. This change aligns the requirements for both onshore and offshore Student visa applications, demonstrating a stronger commitment by the student to study at the institution and increasing certainty for Australia’s international education sector.

There is no change for Foreign Affairs, Defence, or secondary exchange students. Visa holders in Australia must maintain lawful status. If you cannot obtain a CoE before your current visa expires, you must either depart Australia or explore other visa options.

Note that there are restrictions on applying for a Student visa while in Australia on certain visas. If you want to stay longer in Australia, you must apply for a new visa before your current one expires. Check your visa expiry date and conditions using VEVO, the myVEVO app, or your visa grant letter. If your visa has a condition preventing further stay, you must leave Australia before it expires. You can apply for other visas to return after leaving.

If your visa does not have such a condition, you may apply for a new visa while your current one is valid. Applying for a new visa before your current one expires usually grants you a Bridging visa A (BVA), keeping you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your new visa application. If your visa has already expired, your options are limited, and you must leave Australia. For assistance, contact your home country’s embassy, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), or the Homeward Return Program.

For more information, see the section on ending ‘visa hopping’ in the migration system.