Australia Massively Hikes Student Visa Fees

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently increased the H-1B petition filing fee and it was a 70% increase and the H-1B registration fee also increased by 2050%.

In the latest update, the Australian government launched a heavy hike in student visa application fees. The fees went from $710 to $1600 effective today, July 1, 2024.

With a 125% increase, Australia now become the country with the highest fees for student visa applications. US and Canada have US$185 and C$150, respectively.

This move by Australia seems to be a measure to prevent the high migration that is putting pressure on the housing market in the country.

Official data released in March showed net immigration rose 60% to a record 548,800 people in the year to Sept. 30, 2023. The Australia government said it was also closing loopholes in visa rules that allowed students to continuously extend their stay in the country.

Along with the increased fee for main applicants, the Australian government will now charge AUS$1445 for each accompanying applicant aged 18 or over. Accompanying family members under 18 years of age will be charges AUS$390.