Is it possible to convert a tourist visa to a student visa in Australia?
Hi, I'm a US citizen staying in India currently. I've been accepted to UWA and am awaiting the Confirmation of Enrollment. By the time I receive it and then apply for the student visa, it will be extremely close to my start date. So in order to arrive a bit earlier, I was wondering if I could convert my ETA/tourist visa to a student visa while in Australia... Anyone? Anyone?
Immigration - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You can phone the embassy on this situation. Because tourist visa is different from student visa. I think you need to phone them for your protection. Good luck.
2 :
ya i think you could, ya my cousin said you could
3 :
Because you're an American citizen and therefore on student assessment level 1, you are able to apply for your student visa while you're in Australia and there is no reason that I know of why you can't do so while you're on an ETA. All you need is the Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment - you don't need a letter or anything else. Take extreme care with your timing. Even though ETAs are multiple entry, you can only stay for 3 months at a time and DIAC don't like people only staying away for a few days or even weeks in between 3 month visits - if you try to return too soon, you may not be allowed to do so. The potential problem arises because you must say if you are onshore or offshore when you apply for your student visa. If you say 'onshore', the student visa will be granted onshore and will cancel your ETA - if you're offshore at the time, you won't get back in. If you say 'offshore' and you're onshore at the time it's granted, your ETA is cancelled and you're here without a visa and become an overstayer. Makes my head hurt!
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