In a move that will save students time and money, Australia is encouraging Indians to apply online for their student visa. Currently in the second stage of a three-stage trial, online applications must be processed through one of 19 registered agents in India, who are responsible for evaluating the students and the system. If the trial is successful, students may one day be able to apply online independently. In Chennai, the office of the International Development Program (IDP), a not-for-profit company owned by 38 of the 39 Australian universities helps students with their applications.
“Australia is the only country doing this for Indian applicants,” says Racquel Shroff, manager of IDP. “However, not enough people know about this at the moment. It’s Australia’s best kept secret!” Between July 2004 and February 2005, only 148 of the 7,271 student visas issued to Indians were e-visas. In comparison, over 90 per cent of the visas issued for Singapore and Malaysia were e-visas. “India is the second largest recipient in the world for Australian student visas, and more people obviously need to know about this,” said Ms. Shroff.
To use the service, students must bring relevant documentation (such as academic records and financial information) to the IDP office, where an associate will help the student and ensure that they are submitting a complete application. The IDP staff will enter the details into an online application system, and scan the relevant documents for the Australian authorities. This electronic application is then sent to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs in Adelaide. “This is quicker and more convenient for the student because it eliminates hassle, reduces the number of steps involved, and streamlines the entire process,” said Ms. Shroff. As soon as the application is sent the IDP officials can print out a medical form so that students can move to the next stage of their application.
More: hindu.com
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