Study Abroad in Australia
Visa Information

In order to study in Australia, you are required to have a valid Australian visa. Please read this entire page very carefully. 

• Environmental Studies: Ethics, Culture and Sustainability Students (summer program)

• Sydney Internship Students

  If you ARE a US citizen

  Semester Students:

  You will need to apply for a Special Programs Visa. Information about the visa application process, as well as a link to the application form, will be sent to you via email after you have been accepted. You will need to complete and return your visa application documents, as well as a passport-style photo and a photocopy of your passport information page, to Arcadia.

  Summer Students:

  You will need to apply for a Tourist Visa; specifically, the ETA (Visitor) Visa. You will apply for an ETA (Visitor) visa through the Australian Government’s Electronic Travel Authority System (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/). Please be sure to indicate that you are traveling to Australia as a Tourist (not as a Business Visitor.)

  If you are NOT a US citizen

  Semester Students:

  You will need to apply for a Special Programs Visa. Information about the visa application process, as well as a link to the application form, will be sent to you via email after you have been accepted. You will need to complete and return your visa application documents, as well as a passport-style photo and a photocopy of your passport information page, to Arcadia.

  Summer Students:

  You may need to complete a different Visitor Visa application. Please contact Arcadia University as additional steps may need to be taken to secure your visa. As this may be a time consuming process, be sure to contact the Program Manager staff for further information at 1-866-927-2234.

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• January Term Students

  If you ARE a US citizen

  You will need to apply for a Tourist Visa; specifically, the ETA (Visitor) Visa. You will apply for an ETA (Visitor) visa through the Australian Government’s Electronic Travel Authority System (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/). Please be sure to indicate that you are traveling to Australia as a Tourist (not as a Business Visitor.)

  If you are NOT a US citizen

  You may need to complete a different Visitor Visa application. Please contact Arcadia University as additional steps may need to be taken to secure your visa. As this may be a time consuming process, be sure to contact the Program Manager staff for further information at 1-866-927-2234.

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• Semester and Yearlong Students

  If you ARE a US citizen

  You are able to apply for a student visa online. This is the easiest and most efficient way to secure your visa as most applications are approved within a week. If your application is not approved within this time period or if you are contacted by the Australian Department of Immigration requesting additional information, please notify the Program Manager staff at Arcadia immediately at 1-866-927-2234.

  If you are NOT a US citizen

  You may need to complete a different student visa application. Please contact Arcadia University, as additional steps may need to be taken to secure your student visa. As this may be a time consuming process, be sure to contact the Program Manager staff for further information at 1-866-927-2234.

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  Visa Process

  For those students attending an Australian institution, who are applying for a student visa, please follow this step-by-step process.

  Step 1: Obtain a Passport

  You must possess a valid Passport. If you do not have a passport, please begin the process of securing one immediately. If you already have a passport, please check to see that it has not expired. If it has, you will need to renew it. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of departure from Australia.

  Step 2: Complete and Return Response to Offer

  All Australian Universities require the completion of an acceptance agreement in order to continue the visa process. Your Program Manager will email your Australian university Offer Letter and Acceptance Agreement that you must complete and return to Arcadia University. The visa process cannot continue until these forms are returned to Arcadia University.

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  Step 3: Receive Certificate of Enrollment (CoE)

  After you have completed and returned your Response to Offer to Arcadia University, the overseas university will issue the Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) document. Your CoE is an official form issued by the university; your acceptance letter from Arcadia University is NOT your CoE.

  The CoE will usually be sent to you around 4 weeks prior to your departure. The CoE will be sent via email by Arcadia University. Once you have received this document, please check that all of the information on the form is correct; please note that your birthday will be written day/month/year and the session dates listed as the "Course Start Date" and "Course End Date" should cover your entire study period. The CoE confirms that you will be enrolled at the university between these dates. If there any errors on the document, please contact Arcadia University immediately, so a correct CoE can be issued.

  Step 4: Completing the Online Visa Application

  If you are a US citizen and have obtained your CoE, you may now apply for your student visa online. Go to the website to apply for an electronic student visa.

  • At the top of the page, click on 'Student Visa Options.'
    
    
  • From the list of Visa Options, scroll toward the bottom:

  Select 'United States of America' as the country of your passport.

  For the main course of study select 'Non-Award.'

  Select 'No' for intending to study any courses in an educational sector other than your main course of study.

  Select ‘Yes’ for studying a course that is eligible for streamlined visa processing.

  Click on 'Continue to your visa.'

  • It is important that you read all of the information on this page by clicking on sections 1 – 4. After you have done so, click on section 5 'Applying for this visa.'
    
    
  • Read the information on this page and then click on 'How To Apply' at the bottom of the page.
    
    
  • Toward the middle of the page, click on 'Online Applications.'
    
    
  • Read the information on this page and at the bottom, click on 'Online Applications for Students.'
    
    
  • Scroll to the section titled 'Start an application' and under the heading 'Outside Australia' click on 'First student visa.'
    
    
  • On the next page, review the terms and conditions of the application process. Before you can proceed, you will need to agree to these by clicking the appropriate button.
    
    
  • You with then need to review the information pertaining to Australian values and click on 'Next.'
    
    
  • You are now ready to begin the online student visa application. You will need your passport details and CoE to complete the application.
    
    

  Other Notes:

  • The current visa fee is AUD$535. Please note that the fee is subject to change without notice; refer to the Australian Department of Immigration website for the current fee.
    
    
  • Your CoE code will be located in the upper right hand corner of your CoE. 
    
    
  • The Provider's Code is listed in brackets next to the name of your Australian University on your CoE. 
    
    
  • If you are unsure of an answer for a field, you may simply leave it blank (such as, Your residential address or telephone number in Australia). These fields are not mandatory for the submission of your application.
    
    
  • It is important that you enter your email address correctly on the visa application. All correspondence, including notification that your visa has been granted, will be sent via email.
    
    
  • If you are applying electronically, you do not need to submit any other documentation unless specifically directed by the Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC). 
    
    
  • In the event DIAC requires additional documentation to be provided, they will notify you by email. These may include: medical examinations, chest x-rays, police reports or English language requirements. If you are asked to submit additional documentation, notify your program manager and act promptly.  

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  Step 5: Submission of Online Visa Application

  After you have submitted your online visa, a receipt screen will confirm that your application has been lodged. This screen will contain your Transaction Reference Number (TRN). Please copy and store this number in a safe place. You will only be able to check the status of your visa application by using your TRN. You will also receive an email from Australian Immigration within 24 hours of submitting your online application confirming that your application has been lodged and is currently being reviewed.
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  Step 6: Checking the Status of your Visa

  Approximately 2-3 days after submitting your online application, you should query the status of your application to determine if your application has been approved using VEVO (Australian Immigration’s Online Visa Query System). 

  Go to the VEVO website.

  • Select 'Enter VEVO as a Visa holder' and then select 'Query Now.'
    
    
  • Read the Terms and Conditions before selecting to agree to them.
    
    
  • Enter your TRN (Transaction Reference Number) OR Password (used on your initial online application), date of birth, passport details and country of passport as prompted and click 'OK.'

  If your status is approved, please print out the web page and carry this with your passport.

  If your status is listed as "pending," please allow a few more days for processing.

  If, after two weeks, your application is still listed as “pending,” please contact Arcadia University.

  If your status is "not approved," please contact Arcadia University immediately.

  Step 7: Visa Approval

  Notification that your visa has been granted will be sent to the email address you list on your visa application. It is recommended that you save this email and print a copy of it to bring with you to Australia.

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• FAQs

  Will I be issued a physical visa in my passport?

  No. Your student visa is issued electronically by the DIAC. You should print a copy of your Visa Grant Notification email or a screenshot of your visa approval within the VEVO system with your visa grant number to bring with you to Australia.

  How long does it typically take to receive notification of my visa application status?

  Most online visa applications will be approved within 72 hours; however, DIAC officially advises that you allow 21 working days to complete the visa process.

  It’s been a week and I still have not received a visa grant notification email, what should I do?

  Check that 2 steps have occurred:

  1. Check that the visa charge was applied to the credit card listed on the application (AUD$535).

  2. You should have received an email from Australian Immigration within 24 of submitting your visa application informing you that your application has been lodged with a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) for you to check your visa application status online.

  If neither of these steps have occurred, it is likely you did not actually complete the process and Immigration has not received it. You should go ahead and start over to re-complete your visa application.

  Am I able to work in Australia?

  Your student visa will allow you to work 20 hours per week; however, you will need to apply for a work permit after you have arrived in Australia. The study abroad office at your Australian university should be able to assist you with this process.

  How early am I able to enter Australia before the start of the semester?

  Under your student visa, you are able to enter Australia up to 3 months prior to the course start date listed on your CoE. 

  How long am I able to stay in Australia after the end of the semester?

  Under your student visa, you are able to stay in Australia up to 30 days after the course end date listed on your CoE.  

These web instructions are valid as of April 2012. DIAC occasionally amends their website, invalidating these instructions. 

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