People's Republic of China passport holders
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Student visa applicants, including eVisa applicants from the People's Republic of China (PRC), are strongly encouraged to lodge applications at least 12 weeks prior to course commencement.
Students should also allow additional time, if granted a visa, to arrange obtaining their visa label and making travel/accommodation arrangements for Australia.
Paper applications – applicants in the PRC or New Zealand
All paper student visa applications by PRC passport holders in the PRC or in New Zealand must be lodged through the Student Visa Centre (South Australia).
Note: This arrangement does not include Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region passport holders.
In PRISMS, education providers should select the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) electronic destination as:
- Beijing where the applicant is in the People's Republic of China; or
- Auckland where the applicant is in New Zealand.
Education providers should note however that if they are faxing or posting a hard copy of the CoE it must be sent directly to the Student Visa Centre (South Australia).
Applicants who are granted a student visa by the Student Visa Centre (South Australia) will be advised to forward their passport with a copy of the grant letter to the appropriate Australian government office in China or New Zealand for evidence.
Paper applications – PRC passport holders who are outside the PRC or New Zealand
All paper student visa applications by PRC nationals outside Australia who are not in China or New Zealand are lodged at the nearest departmental office overseas.
Education providers should direct CoE to the departmental office overseas where the student intends to lodge their visa application.
Electronic lodgement trial
For information on the electronic lodgement trial for assessment level 2-4 applicants offering online submission of applications.
See: Electronic lodgement trial for Assessment Level 2-4 applicants
Paying the visa application charge
The visa application charge must be paid in Australian dollars (AUD).
Payment may be made by:
- credit card
- cheque
- money order.
See: Charges (Fees)
Where to lodge applications
More information about applications and how and where to lodge applications
See: Student Visa Centre (South Australia)