This is an important advice from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) for all Singaporeans, who enter Australia using a student visa, but wish to extend their stay after completing their studies for the purpose of migration.
Extending Your Stay
You may want to extend your stay in Australia for further study, graduation, a holiday, work or migration.
A new visa will generally cancel (or cease) any other visa held and come into effect as soon as it is granted. You should contact your nearest Australian visa office before lodging a visa application if you have questions about how a new visa would affect your existing visa.
Reasons for extending your stay
You can only extend your stay in Australia if you do not have a 'No Further Stay' condition on your current student visa.
If you wish to extend your stay in Australia after completing your studies for the purpose of migration, you need to apply to become a Permanent Resident under the General Skilled Migration program.
Students and General Skilled Migration
Australia has a well-deserved reputation for high-quality education and training. It continues to welcome overseas students, and appreciate the contribution they make to both academic life and the communities in which they live.
People who want to study in Australia may be granted a Student visa that entitles them to come to Australia on a temporary basis for a specified period to undertake study at an Australian educational institution. While many overseas students make a decision to apply for permanent residence upon completing their studies, this is an entirely separate process and there is no guarantee that, on the basis of having held a student visa, a person will meet the requirements to be granted permanent residence.
It is important to note that student visas are aimed at achieving an educational outcome. General Skilled Migration (GSM) on the other hand is predominantly driven by the labour market needs of Australia.
The criteria for grant of GSM visas can change in response to the changing economic circumstances of Australia. All applicants seeking to be granted a permanent GSM visa must meet the relevant criteria set out in the Migration legislation, regardless of whether or not they have previously been in Australia. It is important for student visa holders to note that any changes to the criteria for the grant of a GSM visa would not affect their Student visa conditions.
Students should not make educational choices solely on the basis of hoping to achieve a particular migration outcome, as the GSM program will continue to change and adapt to Australia’s economic needs.
