Australia hiked worldwide scholar visa price from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 from Jul 1: Govt

The written reply of Minister of State for Exterior Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh got here in response to a question within the Rajya Sabha whether or not it was a undeniable fact that Australia has not too long ago elevated scholar visa charges by greater than double the earlier quantity.

If that’s the case, did the Indian authorities strategy Australia about lowering the coed visa price, the minister was additionally requested.

“The price for worldwide scholar visa was elevated by the Authorities of Australia from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 with impact from 1 July 2024,” Singh mentioned.

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The MoS within the Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned the “matter has been taken up with related authorities within the Australian authorities together with different points associated to college students”.

The hike in visa charges is anticipated to pose monetary challenges to worldwide college students, together with these from India, desiring to pursue their research in Australia, the minister additional mentioned.

India-Australia partnership in training varieties an vital a part of the bilateral relationship, together with financial, educational and people-to-people ties, he mentioned.

“This ministry continues to boost and comply with up with the Authorities of Australia on issues associated to college students from India learning in Australia,” Singh mentioned.

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In a separate question, the minister was requested whether or not the Indian authorities has taken any measure for infrastructure growth to make sure the safety of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar.

Singh, in his written response, mentioned, the “Authorities of India (GoI) has organised the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra yearly between June and September, by the 2 official routes of Lipulekh Cross (since 1981) in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Cross (since 2015) in Sikkim”.

The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra has not taken place since 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent restrictions, he mentioned.

“Throughout the operation of the Yatra, the GoI takes varied facilitating steps which embrace a devoted web site to simplify and expedite the registration and choice course of, communication with Yatris, and a bilingual helpline.

“The GOI, on a self-payment foundation makes logistical preparations together with lodging, meals, transport and porters on the Indian aspect for the Yatra,” Singh mentioned.

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