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The Australian government on March 23 introduced stricter student visa regulations to curb the influx of migrants. Among these measures, the introduction of a ‘No Further Stay’ clause and the limitation on work options for foreign students stand out as significant changes affecting the future of immigrant students in Australia.
What is a ‘No Further Stay’ clause?
“The ‘No Further Stay’ condition, often abbreviated as NFS, prohibits visa holders from applying for any other visa within Australia, such as work visas or permanent residency, without first leaving the country after their student visa expires,” explains Harshita Agarwal Sharma, Director of Lexlevel Services.
For foreign students, the “no further stay” condition means that they cannot apply for another visa (except for a few limited exceptions) while they are in Australia. This restriction applies regardless of whether the student’s current visa is still valid or has expired. The purpose of the “no further stay” clause is to prevent individuals from using temporary visas as a means to extend their stay in Australia indefinitely by applying for different visa types while already in the country. It aims to ensure that individuals adhere to the conditions of their original visa and discourages visa overstays.
Sharma further elaborates, “Initially applied to short-term visas like tourist visas to prevent extensions of stay through different visa categories, its application to student visas adds a new layer of complexity for international students and workers.”
Implications:
For foreign students, this restriction can have significant implications. For example, if a student wishes to extend their stay in Australia beyond the duration of their student visa, they would typically need to return to their home country and apply for a new visa from there. This restriction can limit the options available to foreign students who wish to remain in Australia for further studies, work, or other purposes after their student visa expires. It underscores the importance of careful planning and understanding the visa conditions before entering Australia to avoid unintended consequences or complications in the future.