New student visa rules in Australia are prompting some Bhutanese to reconsider their plans. The changes barred most international students from bringing their partners or children, while those onshore may have to leave the country to apply for a student visa. Education consultancies in the country say they are already seeing more students postpone or cancel their plans.
Australia announced the changes on Friday. Under the new rules, most international students can no longer bring family members, including partners and children, to Australia.
The rules exempt PhD students, recipients of government scholarships, and students from Pacific and ASEAN countries.
An applicant, who asked not to be named, has dropped her plan for further studies.
She said, “Being away from my partner or children for a long time would be emotionally difficult, especially while adjusting to a new country and focusing on my studies. I believe having my family with me would provide emotional and practical support. Because of this policy, I would think twice about choosing Australia as my study destination and might consider another country where I could stay with my family.”
Now, more applicants are asking about alternatives such as New Zealand, Canada, and European countries.
SMART Education Consultancy’s CEO Tshering Dhendup said, “Many students who had planned to pursue further studies in Australia have now decided not to go. Some have even claimed refunds for the fees they had paid to universities, while others who had already received offer letters have dropped their plans.”
Visa success rate for Bhutanese applicants has also fallen from around 90 per cent to about 30 per cent. And the trend is almost similar in other countries.
The new rules also affect students already in Australia. Most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a student visa and must leave Australia to apply, although some exemptions apply.
“I’m concerned about the new visa rules and restrictions on dependents, especially with how expensive university fees are. As an international student, I worry about how these changes may affect my plans and opportunities to build a career in Australia after graduation,” said Sonam Dema Wangchuk, a student of Edith Cowan University in Australia.
Australia has been a major destination for Bhutanese students. In the last two years, more than 8,000 Bhutanese moved to Australia.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 40,000 Bhutanese were living in Australia as of June last year. As Australia tightens its immigration rules, education consultancies say students will need to carefully consider the new requirements before making major financial and study commitments.
Kelzang Chhophyel
Edited by Sangay Chezom
