EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Migration Regulations 1994
- This Notice is made under regulation 1.17 and subparagraph 1222(1)(aa)(i) of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).
2. Regulation 1.17 of the Regulations provides that the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, specify matters required by individual provisions of the Regulations to be specified for the purposes of those provisions. Subparagraph 1222(1)(aa)(i) provides that an applicant for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa who is in Australia and who is included in a class of persons specified by Gazette Notice for the purposes of subparagraph 1222(1)(aa)(i), may apply for a student visa using Form 157A or 157A(Internet).
3. The Instrument made under subparagraph 1222(1)(a)(ii) supports the continuing expansion of eVisa services for student visa applicants in Australia.
4. The purpose of the Instrument is to facilitate access to eVisa for student visa applicants in Australia who hold an eligible passport specified as Assessment Level 1 from 1 November 2005 under subregulation 1.41(1).
5. The instrument provides access to eVisa across subclasses 570 to 575 for holders of passports from Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, the United States of America, the United Kingdom (British citizens passport holders only), Singapore, Estonia and Slovenia. Peru will gain access to eVisa in subclasses 571, 573, 574 and 575. The Czech Republic and Hungary will gain access to eVisa in subclass 573.
6. Other than including the citizens of the countries mentioned in 5 above, the Instrument maintains the existing level of access for the nationalities already specified.
7. Pursuant to section 18 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 consultation is not necessary. The Instrument is of a minor or machinery nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements.
8. The Instrument commences on 1 November 2005.