Australia tightens visa rules to combat “visa shopping”

The Australian government has announced new measures to tighten visa rules to combat the practice of «visa hopping». From July 1, the option to switch from a tourist visa to a student visa, as well as from a temporary graduate visa back to a student visa, will be closed. These steps are aimed at reducing cases of unjustified extension of stay in the country through loophole visas.

Interior Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized that Australia needs an immigration system that will ensure the influx of specialists necessary for the country, but will exclude the possibility of fraud and exploitation. The new measures are a continuation of reforms started earlier this year to strengthen control over the international education system and migration.

The decision was made against the backdrop of an increase in the number of applications for a change of visa status: over the past year, more than 36,000 have been submitted. Authorities note that such schemes are increasingly used to circumvent new, stricter requirements for foreign students and graduates.

The Australian government continues its course on reforming immigration policy to ensure its alignment with the country's economic interests and to prevent abuses in the visa system.