I created this thread to give an update on the student visa application online.
- Before anything else, read the Australian Embassy website regarding Student Visa to get familiar with the terms and requirements.
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/500-
Decide on what course to take in Australia. Preferably, it should be related to your course and career/profession para hindi magkaproblema sa Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion. If you wish to take a new course not related from your previous one or your career, be sure to have a valid and acceptable reason stated in your Statement of Purpose. If you’re planning to get a PR after your studies, consider the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) and Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL) to help you choose what course to take.
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists/CSOL
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists/SOL
Research on what State you wish to study. There are available websites that suggests best locations for international students. Consider the weather, living expenses, accommodation, job opportunities, etc.
After you finalize your course and location, search Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). It is the official Australian Government website that lists all Australian education providers that offer courses to people studying in Australia on student visas and the courses offered.
Nakaindicate na dito ang specific location ng school & course fee. If you click on the website of the school, may mga specific requirements na rin like English Language Test ie. IELTS, PTE or TOEFL, among others to be submitted to the school for application.
http://cricos.education.gov.au/
Take the English Language Test. You can choose from IELTS, PTE or TOEFL. Be sure that you get the mark required by the school. Usually, universities require 6.5 – 7.0 band score in IELTS for Master’s / Bachelor’s Degree, Vocational Education & Training 5.5 - 6.0.
Gather documents and prepare the following for your visa application while waiting for your English Test Result. (Please have it Certified True Copy)
A. Pesonal documents/ IDs: Passport, Government IDs, Company ID, NSO Birth Certificate, NSO Marriage Certificate, Curriculum Vitae, NBI, Statement of Purpose
B. Academic documents: Transcript of Records- College/Masters(if applicable), Diploma
C. Employment docs: Certificate of Employment and other Service Records (please include previous employment, dapat walang gaps from the time na natapos college mo. Magiging GTE issue kasi yan. If you were unemployed for a longer period indicate the reason on your Statement of Purpose). Provide other employment documents na meron kayo like Certificates. Mas marami mas ok to prove that you are really employed in that company.
D. Spouse’s documents/IDs: NSO Birth Certificate, NSO Marriage Certificate, Certificate of Employment, NBI, Statement of Purpose(why he/she will accompany you in Australia)
E. Sponsor’s Docs/ID’s: Government IDs, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Affidavit of Relationship, Affidavit of Support, Bank Certification, Bank Statement
if engage in business- Business Permit, ITR 2-3 years, Financial Statement, Business Name Registration
if employed- Certificate of Employment, ITR 2-3 years
(Anyone can sponsor kahit hindi related by blood. There are specific statements that should be mentioned in the Affidavit of Support)
After getting your English Test Results, submit the required documents to the school and wait for the Letter of Offer. Usually they will reply after a week or more depending on the school. You can send multiple applications to different schools para macompare niyo ang fees, length of classes and other considerations. If ok na kayo, inform the school and sign written agreement. You will be required to pay the course fee before they will give you the Confirmation of Enrollment which is necessary for your visa application. Universities usually require a one semester full tuition fee while non-universities allow installment basis. Also, you will be required to get a health insurance. Other schools offer to arrange your health insurance so pwde na rin sa kanila na lang magbayad.
After you complete the requirements, pwede na kayo mag-apply online. First you need to create an Immi Account. I suggest you should have a specific email address intended for your visa application only.
https://www.border.gov.au/immiaccount
- If you already have your ImmiAccount, carefully fill up all the information details. Double check lahat before you click submit. There are also specific instructions in attaching documents.
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Atta
- You will be required for a medical examination by the Case Officer. You can also have your medicals done prior to lodging your visa. Lodge your My Health Declarations form online.
Specific instructions to have health examination:
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Heal/meeting-the-health-requirement/arranging-a-health-examination
My Health Declarations:
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Heal/meeting-the-health-requirement/health-examinations/my-health-declarations#
Locations for health examination in the Philippines:
https://www.border.gov.au/about/contact/offices-locations/philippines
If na attached na lahat yung files sa Immiaccount, click submit and pay the visa fee. Be sure to click the email address as the correspondence. It means they will contact you thru email if they have additional requirements. Also thru email din isesend nila ang visa decision. Wait for one month before you ask for a follow-up on your visa application.
Pray and wait for the visa grant!!
BUT!! don’t lose hope if the visa decision is unfavorable. Marami dito took a leap of faith after a visa refusal. Just comply whatever the reason for the denial and ask for God’s wisdom.
- Visa granted! =)