Chumpoochai (Migration)
[2020] AATA 460
•17 February 2020
Chumpoochai (Migration) [2020] AATA 460 (17 February 2020)
DECISION RECORD
DIVISION:Migration & Refugee Division
APPLICANT: Mr Pongsakorn Chumpoochai
CASE NUMBER: 1812027
HOME AFFAIRS REFERENCE(S): BCC2018/1027158
MEMBER:Mark Bishop
DATE:17 February 2020
PLACE OF DECISION: Melbourne
DECISION:The Tribunal remits the application for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa for reconsideration, with the direction that the applicant meets the following criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa:
·cl.500.214 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
Statement made on 17 February 2020 at 8:50am
CATCHWORDS
MIGRATION – Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa – Subclass 500 (Student) – financial capacity – balance deposits in Thailand – genuine access to funds – statement of support from aunty – decision under review remittedLEGISLATION
Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s 65
Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), Schedule 2, cl 500.214STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS
APPLICATION FOR REVIEW
This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Home Affairs on 9 April 2018 to refuse to grant the applicant a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).
The applicant applied for the visa on 4 March 2018. At the time of application, Class TU contained two subclasses: Subclass 500 (Student) and Subclass 590 (Student Guardian). The applicant applied for the visa to undertake study in Australia and does not claim to meet the criteria for a Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa.
The delegate in this case refused to grant the visa on the basis that the applicant did not satisfy the requirements of cl.500.214 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations) because the applicant failed to provide evidence of Genuine Access to Funds (GAF).
The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on 11 February 2020 to give evidence and present arguments. The Tribunal hearing was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter in the Thai and English languages.
The applicant provided a copy of the decision record to the Tribunal. The date of decision was 9 April 2018.
The applicant was assisted in relation to the review by his registered Migration Agent (MA)
For the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the matter should be remitted for reconsideration.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE
The criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa are set out in Part 500 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations. The primary criteria in cl.500.211 to cl.500.218 must be satisfied by at least one applicant. Other members of the family unit, if any, who are applicants for the visa need only satisfy the secondary criteria. The issue in the present case is GAF.
Genuine access to funds (cl.500.214)
Clause 500.214 requires the applicant to meet certain financial requirements. If the applicant is required to do so by the Minister, they must give evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements set out in an instrument: cl.500.214(3). All primary applicants must also satisfy the Tribunal that, while they hold the visa, sufficient funds will be available to meet their costs and expenses during their intended stay in Australia, as well as the costs and expenses of any members of their family unit who will be in Australia: cl.500.214(2). The Tribunal must also be satisfied that the applicant will have genuine access to the relevant kinds of funds.
In the present case, the Minister has required the applicant to give evidence of financial capacity in accordance with cl.500.214(3).
Has the applicant provided evidence of financial capacity in accordance with the instrument?
The requirements for evidence of financial capacity for cl.500.214(3) are set out in LIN 19/198, which is attached to this decision.
The applicant provided copies of four Confirmation of Enrolments (COE’s) to the Department Relevant COE numbers were 981DC426 expired 15 March 2019, 981D8D33 expired 7 September 2018, 981D8D33 expired 7 September 2018 and 981DC426 expired 15 March 2019). All were created on 2 March 2018 for enrolment in a series of English language courses.
On 9 April 2018 the delegate made a finding failed to provide adequate evidence of GAF.
A COE functions as a record of a student’s enrolment status in an approved course and as proof of enrolment for the purpose of cl.500.211. Critically it provides enrolment detail (e.g. course commencement and conclusion dates) and course costs of an applicant for a student visa and is evidence of financial capacity as outlined in cl.6(2) of LIN 19/198 Financial capacity instrument for the purpose of cl.500.214.
The applicant provided a Statement of Purpose to the AAT (post-date of delegate decision). The applicant advised the Tribunal he had not been unable to provide evidence of GAF as the relevant documentation had not been provided to him by his sponsor and auntie in Thailand. The applicant provided copies of two COE’s numbers 981D8D33 that expired on 7 September 2018 and 981DC426 that expired on 15 March 2019. The Tribunal gives no weight to these two COE’s as both have expired as at the time of decision.
The applicant provided copies of two bank statements.
The first bank statement showed a savings account statement in the name of Wanna Parami that showed a balance of Thai Baht 533,366 as at 22 January 2018. Thai Baht 500,000 was deposited into this account on 22 January 2018. This account showed minimal transactions from 10 January 2018 until 22 January 2018. It did not show any transaction history prior to 10 January 2018.
The second bank statement shoed a balance of Thai Baht 405,087 as at 5 February 2019. This account did not show any history of deposits or transactions except for the deposit transaction of 5 February 2018.
The Tribunal gives no weight to these two bank statements as they are not current at the time of decision.
The applicant did not provide a statement of support in any form from any person to the Tribunal.
On 23 January 2020 the Tribunal wrote to the applicant and invited the applicant to attend a hearing. The Tribunal advised the applicant “…Please provide all documents you intend to rely on to establish that you meet the criteria for the visa. The decision made by the department to refuse to grant a visa should set out the reasons why you did not meet the criteria, and you should have regard to these and any changes in your circumstances, in providing documents and preparing for the hearing. Any documents or written arguments sent to us should be in English or accompanied by a translation from a qualified translator”.
The Tribunal requested the applicant provide the following documents at least 7 days prior to the hearing:
1.A copy of your current Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or other document/s that show you are currently enrolled in a course of study as defined in cl 500.111 and as required by cl 500.211(a) of schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations) for the grant of the visa.
2.Documents that show your past studies in Australia, including copies of all your attendance certificates, academic transcripts and certificates of completion as well as documents evidencing any work related to your past or intended studies in Australia.
3.Either:
·Documents that demonstrate you have genuine access to sufficient funds to meet your costs and expenses during your intended stay in Australia as well as the costs and expenses of each member of your family unit (if any) who will be in Australia, to pay course fees, living costs, school costs (where relevant), and travel costs over the relevant period. You must also provide evidence that the funds are of a kind specified in the relevant legislative instrument.
OR·Evidence of the annual income of your parents/spouse/de facto partner and that you have genuine access to those funds.
·Please note: any access to funds information that is from outside of Australia needs to be converted into Australian Dollars (AUD) using the following link: A copy of the conversion needs to be added to any submission with the conversion date.
In addition on 23 January 2020 the Tribunal provided a copy of LIN 19/198 Financial Capacity Instrument to the applicant. This instrument in s.6 (2) outlines the detail an applicant is required to provide to comply with the instrument and hence satisfy cl.500.214 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations. The Tribunal is of the view the applicant was provided with adequate written notice of the type of detail required to be provided to the Tribunal to satisfy LIN 19/198.
On 10 February 2020 the applicant provided a set of COE’s in three courses relating to Marketing. COE number AA44D826 was for enrolment in a Certificate IV in Marketing commencing 9 September 2019 and concluding 29 March 2020. Course fees were $3,500.COE number AA44F094 was for enrolment in a Diploma of Marketing and Communication commencing 14 April 2020 and concluding 11 April 2021. Course fees were $5,500. COE number AA450787 was for enrolment in an Advanced Diploma of Marketing commencing 17 May 2021 and concluding 15 May 2022. Course fees were $6,000. All COE’s were created on 19 May 2019.
The applicant is required to provide evidence of GAF to pay course fees of $5,500.
The applicant is required to provide evidence of GAF to pay living costs of $21,041.
The applicant is required to provide evidence of GAF to pay airfares of $1,000.
In total the applicant is required to provide GAF of $27,541.
The applicant provided a copy of a letter dated January 30 2020 in the name of Ms Bubnpan KRUAKLANGRONG on letterhead of the Kasikornbank that advised the account holder had a credit balance of $24,070.64 AUD. The letter was signed by the assistant branch manager and stated the account holder was considered financially capable of supporting the applicant throughout his study in your country. Attached to this letter was a bank statement with a transaction history dating from 1 July 2019 until 29 January 2020 showing an average balance of a low five figure amount over the six month period.
The applicant provided a copy of a letter dated 30 January 2020 in the name of Ms Bubnpan KRUAKLANGRONG on letterhead of the Siam Commercial bank Public Company Limited that advised the account holder had a credit balance of $48,956.60. This letter was signed by a bank official (name and bank number provided) and stated the account holder financial standing was sound and she was in a position to be guarantor for the applicant. The bank advised the account had been maintained since May 2019 and the amount of $48,956.60 was in a fixed deposit.
Ms Bubnpan KRUAKLANGRONG did not provide a statement of support to the applicant.
The applicant advised a Ms Monthira BONGKUNKHAM who runs a restaurant in Zetland NSW would give evidence to the Tribunal. She was described as a cousin of the applicant and has financially sponsored him. The applicant did not call this person to give evidence.
At the conclusion of the review hearing the Tribunal outlined to the applicant and his MA a critical omission from the material provided to the Tribunal. The applicant failed to provide a statement of support from his aunty. The Tribunal explained that if it did not receive a statement of support it would be unable to make a finding the applicant had GAF.
After some discussion the applicant and his MA undertook to provide such statement by close of business Friday 14 February 2020.
On 14 February 2020 the applicant provided a signed statement of support from his aunty dated 12 February 2020. This statement of support advised of balance deposits in Thailand in identified accounts of $73,027 AUD and the relevant support covered living costs, tuition fees and airfares.
On the basis of the above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant meets cl.500.214(3).
Are there sufficient funds available to meet costs and expenses while the applicant holds the visa?
See above.
For these reasons, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant meets cl.500.214(2).
Will the applicant have genuine access to the funds?
To meet cl.500.214(1), the Tribunal must also be satisfied that the applicant will have genuine access to the funds referred to above.
See above
As the Tribunal is satisfied the applicant will have genuine access to the funds, cl.500.214(1) is met.
Conclusion on cl.500.214
Accordingly, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant meets cl.500.214.
Given the above findings, the appropriate course is to remit the application for the visa to the Minister to consider the remaining criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa.
DECISION
The Tribunal remits the application for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa for reconsideration, with the direction that the applicant meets the following criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa:
·cl.500.214 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
Mark Bishop
MemberAttachment – LIN 19/198 – Financial capacity instrument (extract)
6 Subclause 500 (Student) visa—primary applicants
(1)For the purposes of subclause 500.214(3) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a primary applicant must give to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements of subsections (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).
Note: For primary applicant, see section 4 of Part 1 to this instrument.
(2)The evidence of financial capacity
(a)is in the form specified in section 10; and
(b)demonstrates that the primary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet the following costs and expenses of the primary applicant:
(i) travel expenses; and
(ii) the following living costs and expenses:
(A)if the primary applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of 12 months or more – AUD21,041 (annual living costs); and
(B)if the primary applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of less than 12 months – the pro rata equivalent of annual living costs, calculated as specified in section 11; and
(iii) the following course fees, minus any amount already paid:
(A)if the duration, or the remainder, of the primary applicant’s period of study in Australia is less than 12 months – the fees for the course of study or the remaining components of the course of study; or
(B)If the duration, or the remainder, of the primary applicant’s period of study in Australia is more than 12 months – course fees for the first 12 months of the period study in Australia; and
Note : The period of study is the period beginning at one of the following commencement periods and ending on the final day of the applicant’s final course of study:
(a)if the applicant’s first course of study commenced after the date of application – on the first day of the first course of study; or
(b)if the applicant’s first course of study commenced before the date of application – on the date of application.
(c)demonstrates that the primary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet the following costs and expenses of each secondary applicant making a combined application with the primary applicant:
(i) travel expenses; and
(ii) for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for a period of 12 months or more – the following costs (annual living costs):
(A)for a spouse or de facto partner - AUD7,362 and
(B)for a dependent child - AUD3,152; and
(iii) for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for a period of less than 12 months – the pro rata equivalent of annual living costs, calculated as specified in section 11; and
(iv) the following school fees for each school-age dependant:
(A)if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for more than 12 months - AUD8,296 (annual school costs); or
(B)if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for less than 12 months – the pro rata equivalent of annual school costs, calculated as specified in section 11; or
(C)if the school-age dependant is enrolled in a course of study at a State or Territory government school where the fees have been waived, and the Primary Applicant is enrolled in a course as a doctoral degree student, a Foreign Affairs student, a Defence student or a Commonwealth sponsored student – nil.
Note: For secondary applicant, see section 4 of Part 1 to this instrument
(3)The evidence of financial capacity:
(a)is official Government documentation of personal income that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made; and
(b)demonstrates that the primary applicant’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income, in the 12 months immediately before the application is made, that is:
(i)if there is no secondary applicant– at least AUD62,222; or
(ii)if there is a secondary applicant – at least AUD72,592.
(4)The evidence of financial capacity is the primary applicant’s completed AASES form.
Note: AASES form is defined in regulation 1.03 of the Regulations to mean for a secondary exchange student, an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student form from the relevant State or Territory education authority, containing the following declarations:
(a) a declaration made by the student’s exchange organisation, accepting the student;
(b) a declaration made by the student’s parent, or the person or persons having custody of the student, agreeing to the exchange.
(5)If the primary applicant is a Foreign Affairs student – the evidence of financial capacity is a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
(6) If the primary applicant is a Defence student – the evidence of financial capacity is a letter of support from the Department of Defence.
7 Subclause 500 (Student) visa—secondary applicants
(1)For the purposes of subclause 500.313(3) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a secondary applicant who is included in the primary student visa holder’s application, must give to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements of subsection (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).
(2)The evidence of financial capacity:
(a)is in the form specified in section 10; and
(b)demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of the primary student visa holder set out in subparagraphs 6(2)(b)(i) to (iii) of this Part; and
(c)demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of each secondary applicant making a combined application with the primary student visa holder specified in paragraphs 6(2)(c)(i) to (iv) of this Part.
(3)The evidence of financial capacity:
(a)is official Government documentation of personal income that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made; and
(b)demonstrates that the primary student visa holder’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income that is at least AUD72,592.
(4)If the primary student visa holder is a Foreign Affairs student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(5) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.
(5)If the primary student visa holder is a Defence student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(6) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Defence will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.
(6)If:
(a)the primary student visa holder is a Foreign Affairs student or a Defence student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(5) or (6) of this Part; but
(b)the letter of support does not indicate that the relevant department will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant;
then the evidence of financial capacity:
(c)demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of the secondary applicant specified in paragraphs 6(2)(c)(i) to (iv) of this Part.
8 Subclass 500 (Student) visa – secondary applicants not included in the primary student visa holder’s application
(1) For the purposes of subclause 500.313(3) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a secondary applicant (the first secondary applicant), who is not included in the primary student visa holder’s application, must give to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements of subsection (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).
(2) The evidence of financial capacity:
(a)is in the form specified in section 10; and
(b)demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of the primary student visa holder specified in subparagraph 6(2)(b)(ii) of this Part; and
(c)demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet course fees for any component of the primary student visa holder’s course of study which will be completed while the first secondary applicant is in Australia, up to an amount equivalent to fees for 12 months of the course of study, minus any amount already paid; and
(d)demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of each secondary student visa holder and that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own costs and expenses, and the costs and expenses of each additional secondary applicant making a combined application with the first secondary applicant, specified in subparagraphs 6(2)(c)(ii) to (iv) of this Part; and
(e)demonstrates that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own travel expenses and the travel expenses of all additional secondary applicants making a combined application with the first secondary applicant.
(3)The evidence of financial capacity:
(a)is official Government documentation of personal income that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made; and
(b)demonstrates that the primary student visa holder’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income that is at least AUD72,592.
(4)If the primary student visa holder is a Foreign Affairs student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(5) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.
(5)If the primary student visa holder is a Defence student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(6) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Defence will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.
(6)If:
(a)the primary student visa holder is a Foreign Affairs student or a Defence student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(5) or (6) of this Part; but
(b)the letter of support does not indicate that the relevant department will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant;
then the evidence of financial capacity:
(c)demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of each secondary student visa holder and that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own costs and expenses, and the costs and expenses of each additional secondary applicant making a combined application with the first secondary applicant, specified in subparagraphs 6(2)(c)(ii) to (iv) of this Part; and
(d)demonstrates that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own travel expenses and the travel expenses of all secondary applicants making a combined application with the first secondary applicant.
…
10 Evidence of financial capacity
The following forms of evidence of financial capacity are specified:
(a)money deposit with a financial institution;
(b)loan with a financial institution;
(c)government loans;
(d)scholarship or financial support.
11 Pro rata equivalent
In this Part, the pro rata equivalent of annual costs is calculated by:
(a)dividing the annual amount by 365; and
(b)multiplying the resulting number by the number of days the applicant is intending to stay in Australia.
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