Australia implements strict visa regulations for Nigerian students

The Australian Government has announced the implementation of stringent visa regulations targeting Nigerian students and other international applicants amid a surge in migration numbers.

Effective immediately, heightened English language proficiency requirements for student and graduate visas will be enforced, alongside measures granting authorities the ability to suspend education providers found in repeated violation of regulations regarding international student recruitment.

According to Reuters, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing migration levels while addressing deficiencies in the existing system. Additionally, a new “genuine student test” will be introduced to deter individuals primarily seeking employment opportunities rather than pursuing education in Australia.

Furthermore, “no further stay” conditions will be expanded to more visitor visas as part of the regulatory overhaul.

This development follows previous measures undertaken last year to revoke COVID-era concessions, such as unrestricted working hours for international students, with the aim of potentially halving the migrant intake over a two-year period.

Australia’s decision to elevate its annual migration intake in 2022 was initially intended to alleviate labor shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the subsequent influx of foreign workers and students has placed significant strain on the nation’s rental market, already under pressure. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a 60% surge in net immigration, reaching a record high of 548,800 individuals in the year ending Sept. 30, 2023—exceeding the 518,000 recorded in the preceding year ending June 2023.

Consequently, Australia’s population surged by 2.5%—its fastest pace on record—to 26.8 million people by September 2023, reflecting the profound impact of migration dynamics on demographic trends within the nation.