With the graduation season approaching, applications for the 485 visa have reached their peak. Many people often hear: “485 visa will not be refused.” However, the refusal rate for Australia’s 485 visa is much higher than expected and is not as straightforward as it appears.
From the cases we’ve handled, we’ve summarized several major reasons that can lead to the refusal of a 485 visa:
1. Choosing the Wrong Visa Subclass: Selecting the incorrect visa process can result in refusal, even if other conditions are met. Therefore, be cautious when choosing the visa process.
2. Failure to Meet English Language Test Requirements: Passing the English language test is a crucial part of applying for the Australian 485 Graduate Work Visa. Many students overlook this standard and only take the test after submitting their application, leading to rejection. During the lockdown, IELTS exams were temporarily suspended, and only during this period were some students exempted from the requirement to have their English scores ready before submitting their visa application.
3. Failure to Meet Health, Character, and Insurance Requirements: When submitting a 485 visa application, you must prove to the DoHA that you have made proper arrangements for health insurance and completed the medical examination promptly. Additionally, all applicants over the age of 16 must apply for an Australian police certificate, which is only valid for 12 months. Failure to do so will also result in the refusal of the 485 visa.
4. Failure to Submit the Correct Documents on Time: Be aware that the DoHA can directly refuse your application without notifying you to supplement materials. Some applicants believe that just applying is enough and do not timely submit the necessary documents. Incorrect or incomplete documents or failure to provide them on time can lead to the direct refusal of the 485 visa.
5. Failure to Meet Study Requirements: Applicants need to complete at least 2 years of registered courses in Australia and study in the country for at least 16 months unless special policies are in place.
6. Failure to Meet the Visa Application Deadline: There is a time limit for submitting a 485 visa. You need to apply within 6 months of the course completion date and this “6-month” standard also applies to the expiration date of your student visa. The course completion date means the date you receive your final results. We often encounter students missing this deadline, leading to the refusal of their 485 visa.
7. Insufficient Understanding of s48 Restrictions: s48 prohibits applicants holding bridging visas from applying for another visa within Australia after refusal. s48 has a significant impact on applicants, as bridging visa holders face many restrictions, with very few visa options available.
8. Failure to Meet Skills Assessment Requirements: For some occupations, the immigration office requires passing a skills assessment to prove that the applicant has the skills and knowledge matching the nominated occupation. Many applicants fail to pass the skills assessment test, resulting in the rejection of their 485 visa.
Strict migration laws support every Australian visa and comes with certain application risks. When applying for an Australian visa, be sure to comply with legal requirements and do not blindly follow unofficial information or rumors. By adhering to the law, you can better achieve your dream of staying in Australia.
Approval letter
Case (1) The applicant submits the application by himself and the application date is 6 months later than the graduation date.
Case (2) An urgent visa application was submitted one day before the visa expired. The applicant did not take an English test when applying. The applicant believed that he had received an all-English education and did not need to take an English test.
Case (3) An IT graduate miscalculated the two years of study. After submitting the application, it took half a year to review before the visa was refused. After the visa was refused, the AAT appealed. He has not been able to find an IT-related job and cannot study PY. His migration plan was blocked and he could not continue
Case (4) An Indian student, majoring in architecture, was refused a visa because he chose the wrong stream. We later helped him to appeal and turn the situation around. Such cases of turning the situation around are very rare at AAT.
