Changes to Oz visa 485 allows advanced graduates longer stays

An announcement by Australia’s Immigration and Citizenship Department will be good news for advanced degree holders wishing to extend their stay in the country.

The original Post-Study Visa 485, introduced seven years ago, allowed foreigners studying at Australian universities to stay in the country for 18 months after they graduated. The changes, introduced on 23 March, will allow longer post-graduation stays dependent on the level of the degree.

Students granted their initial study visa after 5 November 2011 will be affected, with those with bachelors’ degrees allowed a working stay of two years and those with masters’ a stay of up to three years. Graduates awarded doctorates can remain in Australia for a period of four years.

The 485 visa itself is now divided into two streams, the Post-Study Work stream and the Graduate Work stream. Applicants for the Graduate Work Stream will need to have majored in a professional sector which is listed as a Shortage Occupation by immigration, and can stay and work for 18 months.

The new Post-Study visa is open to recently-graduated applicants in any field, and allows up to four years’ stay and permission to work. Degrees must be from a registered Australian university or other qualifying educational institution, and have been received after 5 November 2011.

A masters’ degree awarded for coursework or an extended masters’ gives a two-year visa and a masters’ awarded for research allows three years. As stated, a doctorate entitles applicants to a stay of four years, and all applicants may apply for their dependents to join them for the period.