Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Australia saw a surge in student visa withdrawals, with over 15,300 international students abandoning applications in 2024 due to delays and stricter rules. Surge in Student Visa Withdrawals: Over 15,000 International Students Abandon Australia in 2024 Australia experienced a notable surge in student visa withdrawals last year, as thousands of international students opted to pull out of the application process. According to official government data, more than 15,300 international students withdrew their student visa applications in 2024, accounting for 3.
6% of all applications submitted. This marks a significant rise compared to previous years—only 4,156 applications were withdrawn in 2019, while 5,700 students abandoned their applications in 2023. Why Are Students Withdrawing Their Australian Visa Applications? A major factor contributing to this sharp increase is the prolonged processing time for student visas.
Andrew Norton, a higher education expert, highlighted that many applicants are becoming frustrated with extended wait times and choosing alternative study destinations. In June 2024, the average processing time for student visas in Australia reached: 94 days for students applying for higher education programs 171 days for vocational education applicants Faced with such delays, many international students have decided to cut their losses rather than endure the uncertainty. Norton pointed out that it is logical for students to seek alternati.