Students ask ACT government for fairness over visa changes
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About 200 students gathered at the Legislative Assembly on Friday afternoon, pleading with the ACT government for transparency and fairness over changes in the territory-nominated visa program.
International students who were close to meeting the requirements to apply for the visa told the crowd of the effort they had made to call Canberra home, asking to still be given the chance to apply.
International students protest outside the Legislative Assembly against changes to the ACT government’s visa program.
Photo: Jamila Toderas
Like other states and territories, the ACT can sponsor potential migrants for permanent residency in Australia, if they fulfil criteria like having a profession in demand in that jurisdiction. Until recently, the ACT also offered the chance to apply for a visa to those who could prove they were skilled and had a close connection to Canberra, even if they didn’t work in an area explicitly needed in the ACT.
The program was partially closed on June 29, with the government no longer accepting applications for nomination from most categories of applicants.
Many of the students present had moved to the ACT in hopes of applying for the visa, and felt betrayed by the government, which they believed encouraged them to come and live and invest in Canberra knowing they hoped to become permanent residents.
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