Do you know majority of the Australia Student Visas are refused on GTE ground?Do you know
what GTE criteria are and how to meet those?
If you are seriously thinking to go to Australia, then should read below. Put your thoughts on
comment or inbox us.
If you are thinking to go to Australia and if you do not know what GTE is then you are either not
thinking it seriously or you started to think fairly recently. Majority of the Australia Student Visa
are refused on the GTE ground.
According to clause 500.212, a student must be a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a
student to meet the criteria for the grant of the Australia student visa. This clause is generally
known as General Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria which refers to the sole intention of an
international student must be to study and stay temporarily in Australia.
How does the Immigration Department assess whether an international student meets the GTE
Criteria?
There is a guide line they follow. According to Ministerial Direction No 69 following factors will be
taken into account to assess the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student and Student
Guardian visa:
1. the applicant’s circumstances in their home country;
2. the applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia;
3. the value of the course to the applicant’s future;
4. the applicant's immigration history; and
5. if the applicant is a minor, the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant.
Any other matter relevant to your intention to stay in Australia temporarily.
How to meet above GTE Criteria then?
You can address above GTE criteria by providing GTE/SOP (Statement of Purpose) Statement
and supporting documents. Hence this is one of the most crucial documents in your Student Visa
application. You should include following points in your GTE Statement/Statement of Purpose to
address above criteria:
1. the applicant’s circumstances in their home country;
• Are you married or single? If you are married, when did you marry?
• Do you have kids? What is t name and date of birth? Are they accompanying you now or join
later or will not join?
• What do your parents do?
• Are you employed in your home country? Do you have a job waiting for you when you return
from Australia?
• Are you the only/eldest son or daughter in your family and have the responsibility to take care
of your family?
• Does your father have a business that you will need to take over in near future?
2. the applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia;
• Do you have family living in Australia? If so, what do they do and what type of visa do they hold
in Australia?
• What research have you done into Australian Universities/colleges that has led you to choose
the education provider and not other similar providers?
• Why you chose Sydney for your college/uni? Not other cities?
• How will studying in Australia benefit your future?
• What research have you done into other countries that has led you to choose Australia as your
study destination? Why not your home country or India?
• Do you have any children? If so, will your children accompany you to Australia? Are you aware
that school aged children must attend school in Australia? Are you aware of the extra costs
associated with bringing your spouse and/or children with you to Australia?
3. the value of the course to the applicant’s future;
• How will this program benefit your future?
• How is this program related to your previous studies?
• If this program is not related to your previous studies, why have you decided to change your
career path?
• What do you know about this program?
• What do you like about the program structure?
• Are you aware of the full cost of this program?
• What job do you expect to get once you complete this program?
• Do you have an offer of a job when you return to your home country? If not, how do you intend
to look for a job once you return home?
• How much do you expect your monthly salary to be after you complete your degree in
Australia? How does this compare to the salary you would receive if you did a degree in your
own country? Why is studying in Australia a good investment for your future?
• Can you sell your Australian qualification and training in other developed countries?
• Do you have a clear career map how will you utilize your education, training and experience
gained in Australia after returning to your home country
4. the applicant's immigration history;
• If you have travelled to Australia previously, did you comply with your Australian visa conditions
and left before the visa ceased?
• Have you previously applied for an Australian temporary or permanent visa? Have you ever
had any Australian visa application refused? What were the reasons/circumstances for refusal?
• Have you previously applied for a temporary or permanent visa in countries other than
Australia? Have you ever had any visa application refused? What were the
reasons/circumstances for refusal?
5. if the applicant is a minor, the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant;
and
• Have you made guardianship arrangement in Australia until you will reach 18?
6. Finally end your SOP with following:
I certify that the information provided above is true and correct. I understand that any incorrect
and/or misleading statements made by me may result in my student visa application being
refused.
Signature………………………Date of Birth ……………………
Name …………… Passport No. …………………….……
Date…………………………
DON’Ts of GTE/SOP Statement
1. Do not copy
GTE/SOP Statement is your very personal story and personal research. So it is a unique
document. You can refer other GTE/SOP Statement but DO NOT COPY that, I am repeating it
DO NOT COPY that.
2. Do not hide any information or leave any open questions for case officer to guess
Be upfront and clear with the Immigration Department. E.g.– if you were married before and now
divorced or if your visa to Australia previously refused put that in clearly in your GTE/SOP
Statement. Mention your situation and write answer to justify that. Do not hide any information or
do not leave any open questions.
3. Do not be negative towards your motherland
Never mention in your GTE/SOP Statement that you do not like your country as there is a
pollution, it has a bad political situation or it is poor.
4. Do not show that you have any intention to live in Australia
Sometimes this happens unintentionally. This is particularly important when you mention about
the relevance of your course to your career. Do not focus that Australia has a high demand of
your course and you will have great career in Australia once you complete your study.
For proper guidance to apply for Student Visa to Australia, please contact BJ EDUCATION
NETWORK – Your Australia Visa Specialist