Khan (Migration)

[2019] AATA 2014

Khan (Migration) [2019] AATA 2014 (20 June 2019)

DECISION RECORD

DIVISION:Migration & Refugee Division

APPLICANT:  Mr Yunus Khan

CASE NUMBER:  1804141

HOME AFFAIRS REFERENCE(S):           BCC2017/4682144

MEMBER:Meredith Jackson

DATE:20 June 2019

PLACE OF DECISION:  Brisbane

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 20 June 2019 at 4:00pm

CATCHWORDS
MIGRATION – Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa – Subclass 500 (Student) – financial capacity – genuine access to funds – affidavit of sponsorship from aunt – cash provided by father – regular payment of tuition fees – decision under review remitted

LEGISLATION
Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s 65
Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), Schedule 2, cl 500.214

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

1. This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Home Affairs on 6 February 2018 to refuse to grant the applicant a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).

2. The applicant applied for the visa on 8 December 2017. 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.

3. 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 did not provide evidence of financial capacity and did not satisfy cl.500.214.

4. The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on 19 June 2019 to give evidence and present arguments.

5. The applicant was assisted in relation to the review by their registered migration agent.

6. For the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the matter should be remitted for reconsideration.

   CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

7. 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 whether the applicant meets the financial requirement.

   Genuine access to funds (cl.500.214)

8. 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.

9. In the present case, the 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?

10. The requirements for evidence of financial capacity for cl.500.214(3) are set out in IMMI 18/010, which is attached to this decision.

11. The applicant is currently enrolled in a Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. He is due to complete the course on 6 September 2019. From the date of this decision, the applicant intends a stay of 79 days.

12. The Tribunal has calculated that the funds needed to be shown to demonstrate financial capacity, therefore, are AUD 8,503. This is made up of AUD 4,392 in pro-rata living costs and expenses; AUD 3,111 in outstanding tuition fees; and AUD 1,000 for travel expenses. In order to calculate the fees component, the Tribunal has considered a statement provided by the applicant from his education provider Academique Pty Ltd, showing that AUD 3,111 is outstanding for his course.

13. To demonstrate financial capacity, the applicant provided written evidence prior to and at the hearing, including:

    a)An affidavit of sponsorship from Ms Azmat Nizami, his aunt, stating that she is sponsoring his in Australia, that she had access to sufficient funds and will bear all the educational and living expenses incurred by the applicant, during his studies in Australia;

    b)Notarised identification for his aunt in the form of an Income Tax Department card from the Government of India, bearing her signature;

    c)Copy of a Confirmation of Deposit from the Punjab National Bank in the name of Azmat Nizami, for the sum of INR 1,711,310 (approximately AUD 35,776.51);

    d)A deposit confirmation in the name of Jamshed Ali, the applicant’s father, with a term deposit amount of INR 1,700,000 (approximately AUD 35,530.91) and which the applicant claims is accessible subject to interest penalties;

    e)An affidavit clarifying the spelling of the applicant’s father’s name, Jamsad Ali.

14. The Tribunal has considered the evidence provided and concludes the applicant has financial capacity in his sponsor’s accounts in India approximately equivalent to AUD 35,776.51, a sum greater than the amount needed to be shown. The Tribunal also concludes that the applicant’s father has a term deposit in an account in India approximately equivalent to AUD 35,530.92. His father’s account is relevant to the Tribunal’s decision because the applicant stated at the hearing that his father provides him with funds and his aunt’s funds are held in reserve.

15. 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?

16. On the basis of the funds described in paragraphs 13 and 14, above, sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of the applicant while he holds the visa.

17. For these reasons, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant meets cl.500.214(2).

    Will the applicant have genuine access to the funds?

18. 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.

19. In relation to the applicant’s current and future access to the funds referred to in cl.500.214(2) and cl.500.214(3), the Tribunal has considered the applicant’s circumstances. The applicant claims he will have access to his aunt’s funds in future if needed, but he currently meets his expenses through cash provided to him by his father and he expects this arrangement to continue while he studies. He claims travellers to and from India carry cash from his father, the sums being less than AUD 10,000.

20. The statement from his education provider described in paragraph 12, above, shows that the applicant has paid fees by instalments for his studies to the amount of AUD 11,888.78. The applicant claimed, but did not provide supporting evidence, that he had paid a further instalment of AUD 777.77 in May, after the statement was issued. The Tribunal accepts that the regular payment of fees demonstrates that the applicant has genuine access to the funds; and that the affidavit from his aunt demonstrates he will have access to the funds in future.

21. As the Tribunal is satisfied the applicant will have genuine access to the funds, cl.500.214(1) is met.

22. Accordingly, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant meets cl.500.214.

23. 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

24. 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.

    Meredith Jackson
    Member

    
    

    Attachment – IMMI 18/010 – Financial capacity instrument (extract)

    6Subclass 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 subsection (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).

    Note: For primary applicant, see section 4 of Part 1 of 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 – AUD20,290 (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 commencing:

    (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,

    and ending on the final day of the applicant’s final course of study.

    (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 - AUD7,100; and

    (B)for a dependent child - AUD3,040; 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 - AUD8000 (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 of 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 AUD60,000; or

    (ii)if there is a secondary applicant  – at least AUD70,000.

    (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.

    7Subclass 500 (Student) visa – secondary applicants 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 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 AUD70,000.

    (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.

    8Subclass 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 AUD70,000.

    (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.

    …

    10Evidence 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.

    11Pro 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.