How to extend your Student VISA?

For some unavoidable academic reasons (ok, man, I have failed in 2 subjects and want to extend), if you want to extend your student VISA, floow these steps. These are extracted from the guidelines supplied by DIMIA (Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), UNSW, Monash and Macquarie universities. May be your Uni website may contain some tips. Contact Campus Central or International Student Centre.

Here is the brief outline of the procedure.

Important Note:

You must lodge your student visa extension application to DIMIA within 28 days of your current visa’s expiry date. Applications lodged after this time may be refused. Sooner the better.

Also, note that DIMIA will not give you an extension on your Student Visa for graduation purposes. If you wish to stay in Australia for a graduation ceremony, you must apply for a Tourist Visa from the DIMIA.


In order to apply for student visa extension, you need:
1) A valid Passport (Check the Expiry Date of your Passport!)

2) A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) (Ask your Co-ordinator)

3) Overseas Student Health Cover (Renew it first to cover the extended study period)

4) Previous Academic Transcript (Request the transcripts till the previous semester)

5) You need to do Medical examination once again for student visa extension and it would cost you AUD $290. One copy of the Medical report will be sent to you and you have to submit it to DIMIA with the receipt of medical and X-ray examinations. (Form 26 and Form 160 can be downloaded from
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/index.htm)

6) Evidence of you Financial Ability. (Letter from your Bank saying they would cover the fees. Please check this DIMIA’s page to obtain more information on the level of funds you need to meet this requirement.)

7) Three (3) passport-sized photographs not more than 6 months old. One for the application and 2 for medical forms. ** Some cases it is not needed.

8) Download the relevant forms from this page of DIMIA website: They are form 157A, information sheet 1160i and the relevant information booklet & information sheet 1163i for information regarding health checks.

9) Make an appointment with DIMIA by calling 131881 to submit your application or goto DIMIA and ask details at helpdesk. They will guide you to drop the documents in lodgement box.

10) Pay an application fee of $430; by Credit Card, EFTPOS, Bank Cheque, or Money Order. Check the prices at this page

11) Internet Visa lodgement is also available on this page of DIMIA website. Student visa holders already in Australia can e-lodge regardless of their student assessment level, at any time within 6 weeks of their course starting. If you lodge over the internet, you will receive an emailed confirmation of your lodgement, together with a list of documents required by DIMIA. You will also be granted a bridging visa to ensure you remain lawful while waiting for your application to be assessed. After receiving your e-lodgement receipt, you must call within 48 hours on 131 881 and make an appointment to see a DIMIA officer.


You may continue reading more at DIMIA website.