Australian visas for Indian students rise 38%
Australia is emerging as a popular destination for Indian students. During 2013-14, 34,100 visas were issued to Indian students, a rise of 38% as compared to the previous year. Even as the number of Chinese students outnumber those from India, the growth in student visas granted to Chinese nationals was much lower at 12% with 60,300 Chinese students being issued student visas during 2013-14.
A major attraction for Indian students is the temporary graduate visa (subclass 485 visa) which provides eligible graduates with the opportunity to gain a short amount of practical experience in Australia following their studies. This visa has two streams: a graduate work stream and a post graduate work stream. For the former, the students must have qualifications that relate to an occupation on the skilled occupation list (SOL). A wide range of medical professionals and engineers, software developers, accountants, solicitors and also vocations such as electricians, carpenters and plumbers are covered by the SOL. The tenure of such a visa is up to eighteen months. The post study work stream is for those students who graduate with a higher degree. Its tenure can be up to four years.
Source: The Times of India
