**IMPORTANT** Due to COVID-19, the processes for securing an Australian Student Visa and entering the country are subject to change without notice. OIE will update the instructions below as we receive updates.
All students studying in Australia are responsible for securing the appropriate student visa. While the OIE can provide a general understanding of the process outlined here, it's the student's responsibility to follow the Australian Government's immigration requirements and any guidance provided by your program. The OIE does not have any influence on this process. Please be in contact with your program directly to understand what specific support they may offer with the visa application.
US Citizens: In order to participate in a study abroad program in Australia, US citizens must apply for a Subclass 500 Student Visa (Non-Award Sector) online through Australia's Department of Home Affairs. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your academic program and possibly for a few weeks after your program ends. You must depart Australia before the student visa’s expiration date. Please review any additional conditions for this visa.
Non-US Citizens: If you're a non-US citizen attending a program in Australia, you may have a very time-sensitive process to complete immediately. You're urged to start researching whether a visa is required for your situation ASAP to plan accordingly. Please consult Australia's Department of Home Affairs to verify your country's assessment level and application requirements. Furthermore, please speak with a DU ISSS Advisor to ensure you have the necessary paperwork to go abroad and return to DU.
If you plan to travel to Africa, South America, Central America, or the Caribbean immediately before arriving in Australia, you may undergo additional biosecurity and health screening by the Australian Government. Please contact the Global Service Centre (GSC) for specific immigration guidance before making your travel plans.
In order to apply for the student visa online, you'll need a copy of your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from your Australian university and proof of your round-trip flights. You'll receive your CoE once you've officially accepted your Australian university’s offer to study there. The CoE is an official immigration form issued by the Australian university you'll be attending. This document lists your program's start and end dates along with your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy details.
After receiving your CoE, the Department of Home Affairs requires that you wait THREE MONTHS prior to the start of your program before you apply for a student visa. The OIE recommends that you apply for a student visa no less than SIX WEEKS prior to your departure.
If you're eligible to apply for your Australian Student visa online and have a valid passport and your CoE, you can start the application by first creating an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
After creating your ImmiAccount, you'll need to select the visa you're applying for. US students will select the Subclass 500 Student Visa (Non-Award Sector). Please read the Step-By-Step Guide and Document Checklist Tool prior to starting your application. The Document Checklist Tool specifies the supporting documents needed based on the university ("Education Provider") you'll be studying at abroad.
Near the end of your application, you'll be prompted to provide evidence that you meet Australia's Genuine Temporary Entrant Requirement. As noted in the Document Checklist Tool, you must upload a letter/statement and evidence explaining that you plan to stay in Australia only for the length of your study abroad program. The Department of Home Affairs says that you may include the following evidence in addition to your personal letter/statement:
If you're a Cherrington Global Scholar, your AUD$630 (approx. USD $450) visa fee is a reimbursable CGS benefit. Please follow these instructions:
The Department of Home Affairs periodically updates the estimated processing times for the Subclass 500 Student Visa. The department also advises applicants not to contact them if your application is within their published standard processing times.
If your application needs to be revised, it may take up to four weeks to finalize the process. Delaying your student visa application until the last moment could interfere with your travel plans. Remember that the OIE has no influence on this process.
Issuance of a student visa is dependent upon the satisfactory health and character clearance conducted by the Australian Government. Please note that if you have lived outside of the U.S. in the past few years, if you have been in the military, or if you have a criminal record, your application will take longer to process.
After your application is submitted, you'll receive an automatic email within 24 – 48 hours confirming that your application has been received and providing you with an application transaction number. Do not misplace this transaction number (keep the email!) for this is how you'll be able to check your application's status in your ImmiAccount. Any requests for additional information will also be listed in your ImmiAccount.
After approximately one working week, you should receive an email notifying you on the status of your application. The email will contain:
If you were granted the electronic student visa, print out several copies of the email. Keep one with your passport while traveling. When you check in for your flight, the airline will already know you've been granted an electronic student visa. The paper copy you carry will serve as a back-up.
If there are questions about your application, you'll be notified by an official and instructed on what to do next. It may be necessary to complete additional forms and have a medical review. If your visa is denied, the Department of Home Affairs will not refund your visa application fee.
If you have an inquiry about the status of your student visa, please call the Global Service Centre (GSC) located in Australia at +61 2 6196 0196. Be aware that this is an international call, and surcharges will apply. The Global Service Centre is available on Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
The Australian Consulates in the US are unable to provide information on visas and immigration.
After your Subclass 500 Student Visa has been approved, please review the Australian Government's "When You Have This Visa" page for helpful guidance.
Due to COVID-19, each Australian state, territory, and education institution is responsible for setting protocols for international student arrivals, including quarantines, pre-departure health screenings, and monitoring of students' health and wellbeing. Students are responsible for following all requirements as directed by their Australian institution, noting that those are subject to change at any time.
Australia has very strict biosecurity procedures to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases. All biosecurity-risk goods must be declared or disposed of in marked amnesty bins at air and sea ports. Your luggage may also be screened upon entry. If you don't declare goods considered to be a biosecurity risk, such as animal products, honey, fresh fruit, seeds, and plant materials, you can receive an instant fine and prosecution. Please review the Australian Government's Studying In Australia Biosecurity Guide and Travelling to Australia page before your arrival.
Tourists traveling to or transiting through Australia – such as family or friends – who are not studying at an Australian university may be required to apply for a visa well in advance of their trip to Australia. Anyone who arrives in Australia without a valid travel document, visa or authority can be refused entry to or delayed until their identity and claims to enter Australia have been confirmed.
US Citizens: All US citizens who are traveling to or transiting through Australia for tourism purposes for less than 90 days must have an approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before the start of their trip. This label-free visa can be obtained at the ETA website for an AUD $20 fee. If you aren’t eligible to apply for an ETA online you might be able to apply through a travel agent, airline or at an Australian visa office.
Non-US Citizens: Please consult Australia's Department of Home Affairs for specific immigration requirements.
By electronically signing below, I understand that it is my responsibility to secure an Australian Student Visa in order to study abroad in Australia. Additionally, I understand the information above is provided by the University of Denver in order to serve as a general guide to assist students. However, it is ultimately my responsibility, as the visa applicant, to follow the Australian Government's protocol (even if different from above guidelines) in order to secure the proper visa and that DU does not hold any authority for this process. This information was reviewed on December 14, 2021.