Accompanying Student Visa Overview
An accompanying student visa is a type of student visa. According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, international students studying in Australia can bring their family members with them. Family members include spouses and children under 18. Partners (boyfriend or girlfriend) can also apply for an accompanying visa if they provide relevant proof of their relationship.
The 590 visa is an accompanying visa, simplified along with the 500 visa from eight types of visas to two. It is specifically designed for the parents of students studying in Australia.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Parents of students under 18 studying in Australia.
- Spouses of adult married students.
- The student must hold a 500 student visa for more than one year.
Visa Holder Requirements:
- Guardians must provide welfare, accommodation, and support for the student.
- Guardians can travel in and out of Australia during the visa validity period but usually cannot leave the student alone unless a temporary and suitable guardian arrangement has been made.
- Guardians must provide insurance for themselves and the student.
- Guardians are not allowed to work.
Special Regulations:
If the applicant’s spouse is studying a course in Australia that falls under AQF-LEVEL 8 (postgraduate), the accompanying spouse can obtain full-time work rights while in Australia.
Definition of Accompanying Visa in Australia
Definition of Spouse:
A legal husband or wife, or a partner who has lived together for at least 12 months in a genuine and ongoing relationship. Even with a marriage certificate, additional evidence such as photos, videos, chat records, and phone logs is needed, especially for marriages less than a year old.
Definition of Child:
A child under 18 years old, including biological and legally adopted children. The accompanying student visa is essentially a type of student visa, as per the Department of Home Affairs’ description: “apply for dependent family members to join you.”
Spouse Accompanying Visa
The spouse accompanying visa is for the spouses of student visa holders. It falls under the same category as the student visa, for example, if the student visa is 573, the spouse accompanying visa is also 573.
Application Conditions:
- The applicant for the spouse accompanying visa must be married to or in a de facto relationship of more than one year with the student visa holder.
- The primary applicant of the student visa must be enrolled in a course longer than 12 months.
- The student visa applicant must list the accompanying spouse on the family members form at the time of visa application. (If not listed, the spouse cannot apply. The student must then fill out Form 1022 at the local immigration office.)
Application Methods:
- Joint Application: The student and the spouse apply together, submitting both applications at the same time.
- Separate Application: If the student is already in Australia and the spouse is still abroad, the spouse must apply for the accompanying visa separately.
Rights and Obligations of Spouse Accompanying Visa Holders:
- The spouse can stay in Australia for the same duration as the student. If the student leaves Australia, the spouse must also leave.
- After the course starts, the spouse can work up to 40 hours every two weeks. For 573 postgraduate coursework and 574 visa holders, there is no work limit after the course starts. The spouse can study for up to three months; beyond that, a student visa is required.
Financial Guarantee:
- If the student visa does not require a financial guarantee, the spouse accompanying visa does not either. If the student visa requires it, so does the spouse visa.
- Financial guarantee calculation: In addition to the student’s required funds, add the spouse’s living expenses of AUD 6,515 per year plus the duration of study and the spouse’s airfare.
- If one party is already in Australia and the other applies separately: the remaining living expenses and tuition fees for both, plus the spouse’s living expenses (AUD 6,515 per year) and airfare.
Parent Accompanying Visa
Generally, parents or guardians of students under 18 can apply for a 580 visa to accompany them in Australia. Each nominated student visa can have only one accompanying visa. The 580 guardian visa is valid for the same period as the student’s visa (for students who have not turned 18 by graduation) or until the student turns 18 at the latest.
Application Conditions:
- The applicant must be the parent or guardian of the nominated student visa holder, or a relative nominated by the parents or guardians.
- At least 21 years old.
- No family members under 6 years old (except in special circumstances).
Rights and Obligations of 580 Visa Holders:
- After March 24, 2012, 580 visa holders can study English for up to 20 hours per week in ELICOS schools and have a total of up to three months of non-ELICOS study rights, but cannot work.
- The visa holder must live with the nominated student and provide appropriate accommodation, welfare, and financial support. If leaving Australia, the student must accompany the guardian, or the guardian must notify the immigration department and arrange for the student’s welfare and financial support, with written approval from the education provider.
Financial Guarantee:
- The funds must be deposited in the bank at least three months before the visa application. The guarantee can be in the applicant’s name or the names of their parents, spouse, siblings, grandparents, or an uncle or aunt who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen living in Australia.
- The funds must be in liquid form, such as deposits or loans. Non-liquid assets like real estate or stocks are not accepted.
- During visa processing, the funds must remain in the bank account.
- If the applicant cannot provide a three-month deposit, a bank loan is also acceptable. Recognized student loans include cash collateral and real estate collateral loans.
Financial Guarantee Calculation:
Living expenses of AUD 18,610 per year plus airfare.
Relevant Fees
- Visa application fee: AUD 550 for a single applicant.
- Visa medical examination fee: approximately RMB 2,000 (varies by hospital).
- Overseas visitor health insurance: AUD 75-105 per month (varies by insurance company).