KATHMANDU, April 26: The Australian government has announced major changes to the age limit and duration for applying for the Temporary Graduate (TR) visa, which is granted to foreign students upon completion of their studies in Australia.
Previously, students up to the age of 50 were eligible to apply for the TR visa. However, this age limit has now been reduced from 15 years to 35 years. Additionally, the duration of the TR visa has also been shortened.
Australia plans to tighten student visa rules. What next for Ne...
As per the recent announcement made by the Australian government on Thursday, post-graduate students were previously entitled to a three-year TR visa, which has now been curtailed to two years. These adjustments are set to come into effect from July 1.
Sanat Gupta, a registered migration agent based in Australia, expressed concern over the reduction in the age limit for applying for temporary residence after completing vocational or higher education. He also noted that the duration of the TR visa has been reverted to 18 months as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, applicants seeking a temporary residence permit must have studied subjects or acquired skills listed in Australia's Intermediate and Strategic Skills List.
Under the revised regulations, individuals with a two-year bachelor's degree, a two-year master's degree in a general course, or a three-year master's degree with research will be eligible for a temporary residence permit. However, those who have completed their education will only be granted a temporary residence permit for three years.
These governmental amendments have effectively reversed the earlier decision to extend the TR period by two years. As a result, there will be no extension in the TR permit duration under the new regulations.
