Why Would My Student Visa Be Refused?

Reason Why Your Student Visa Was Refused

If you’re in the process of applying for a student visa or have recently applied, you may be wondering why a student visa application may be rejected and how you can appeal the decision. If your application is rejected, there will always be a reason stated in your rejection letter to help you understand. Here are some of the most common reasons a student visa application may be rejected.

Health or Character Concerns

In order to be approved for a student visa, you generally need to be in good health and have ‘good character’. Your character is usually determined by your criminal record and any past convictions (e.g. served 12 months or more) could lead to your application being refused. If you have a serious health condition, the Department of Home Affairs may refuse your student visa application on the grounds that potential medical care will incur above-average health costs in Australia. Certain communicable diseases may also preclude you from being allowed entry into Australia, in order to protect public health.

Insufficient Financial Funds

Having insufficient financial funds is one of the most common reasons a student visa may be rejected. The applicant needs to prove that they are financially stable and they have enough money to pay their course fees, live in Australia and travel to and from Australia. Living costs in Australia are high, especially in capital cities where major universities are located. So you will need to have a substantial amount of funds in order to prove you can support yourself in Australia. If you are relying on funds supplied by somebody else (e.g. a scholarship, loan or business sponsorship), you will need to provide clear evidence of this.

Incorrect Information on Visa Application

If incorrect information is provided on your visa application, this can result in automatic denial of your visa. It’s absolutely important that you only provide truthful information and valid supporting documents in your visa application.

Post-Interview Rejection

If you have been rejected in the interview stage of the visa application process, you know something has gone seriously wrong. During the interview, a series of questions will be asked to help determine whether your application is genuine and truthful. If you provided false information or your statements don’t align with your application, your application may be denied.

Unable To Meet Academic Qualification

If you’re travelling to Australia to study, you will need to make sure that you have the necessary academic qualifications to proceed with your enrolled course of study. For example, to be enrolled in an undergraduate course at a university, you will need to have at least completed the overseas equivalent of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (SSCE). If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you may be able to look into bridging courses that could enable you to qualify for a student visa.

Unable To Meet English Requirements

To study in Australia you will need to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency, which can be proven by completing an English language test. The exact score required will be determined by the educational institution you will study at.

How To Prevent Student Visa Refusal

Nobody wants to go through the gruelling and expensive process of applying for a visa to only be rejected. Here are some simple tips that can help ensure your visa is accepted the first time:

• Ensure your bank account has sufficient funds before applying by calculating future living, travel and education expenses
• Double-check the accuracy of all the information and documentation provided
• Prepare for your interview by doing a practice interview with a friend, relative or your migration agent
• Double-check the academic and English language requirements of your intended course. You can email the institution’s administration team to receive written confirmation that you meet the course’s academic requirements
• Use a professional migration agent as they can help prepare your student visa application and provide visa interview tips

What To Do If Student Visa Is Refused

If your student visa is refused while you are outside of Australia, you will need to apply again from scratch. If it is refused while you’re inside Australia, you will need to lodge an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and pay an appeal fee to have the decision reviewed. You will receive a bridging visa that will allow you to stay in Australia while your visa review is being processed. If you’ve had a student visa application refused, it is usually a good idea to speak to a migration agent who is skilled and experienced in student visa applications to ensure your visa application is successful.

If you need help submitting a student visa application or advice on the appeal process, contact AustraliaMigrate today to speak to one of our student visa specialists for more information.