Australia is well known for its strict student visa process. Even after receiving an offer from a university, students still need to wait for their visa outcome before they can start planning their studies in Australia. This is why preparing the correct documents is so important. You are already close to achieving your goal of studying in Australia, so don’t let simple mistakes delay the process. In this article, One Education shares 7 common document issues that can delay an Australian Student Visa application and how to avoid them.

1. Incorrect information on the CoE

What can cause delays?: The information on the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) does not match your current passport details, such as your name, surname, passport number, or programme information not matching the details provided in your visa application.

How to avoid it: Once you receive your CoE from the university, carefully check every detail, including spelling, passport information, and course details. If any information is incorrect, contact the university immediately to request an amendment before using the document for your visa application.

2. Passport close to expiry

What can cause delays?: Your passport expires during the visa application process, has less than six months remaining validity, or has fewer than two blank pages available.

How to avoid it: Your passport should have at least six months of validity remaining from the date of your visa application and at least two blank pages. However, One Education generally recommends that the passport used for a student visa application should ideally remain valid for the entire duration of your studies in Australia, or at least have more than two years remaining before your departure date.

3. Unclear information in the GS (Genuine Student) statement

What can cause delays?: The information provided in your Genuine Student (GS) statement is unclear, inconsistent, inaccurate, or suggests intentions to migrate permanently rather than study.

How to avoid it: The GS requirement is one of the most important parts of an Australian student visa application. Genuine Student (GS) questions are designed to assess your genuine intention to study in Australia. Students should never provide false information. The GS section typically requires concise answers to 4–5 key questions, and all information should be truthful and supported by evidence. Information provided in the GS statement should align with supporting documents such as educational history, employment history, personal background, and financial evidence.

4. Unclear financial evidence

What can cause delays? Insufficient financial evidence or unclear proof of funds, such as not having enough money available to demonstrate your ability to support yourself during your studies or suspicious transaction history within your bank statements.

How to avoid it: Students should prepare their financial documents carefully. This includes: Bank Guarantee (Financial Certificate) and Bank Statement showing at least 6 months of transaction history. Savings or fixed deposit accounts are generally preferred. The amount shown should be sufficient to cover tuition fees and living costs according to visa requirements. During this period, large unexplained withdrawals should be avoided, although regular account activity is acceptable. The Bank Guarantee should be issued from the same account shown in the Bank Statement. Financial documents should also be issued within 30 days of the visa application date.

🟢 Interested in studying in Australia? Get in touch with One Education for personalised advice and support throughout the entire application process. Our service is free of charge. Add Line: @one-edu or submit an enquiry form

5. Sponsor documents are inconsistent or lack proof of income

What can cause delays?: Students using a sponsor’s financial documents instead of their own fail to provide clear evidence of the relationship with the sponsor or proof of the sponsor’s source of income.

How to avoid it: If using a sponsor’s finances, students must provide documents showing: The source of the sponsor’s income, The relationship between the student and the sponsor. Examples include: Birth certificate, House registration documents, Sponsor’s passport or national ID card. Sponsors should also provide evidence of income, such as: Employment verification letters, Business registration documents. These documents help demonstrate that the sponsor has sufficient financial capacity to support the student’s studies in Australia.

6. Official documents are not translated into English

What can cause delays?: Submitting documents in Thai without certified English translations.

How to avoid it: Remember that your visa application is being assessed in Australia. Visa officers may not be able to read Thai documents. If documents are submitted only in Thai, additional translation requests may be issued, causing delays. Documents that commonly require certified English translations include: House registration documents, Birth certificates, Educational certificates and transcripts, Sponsor employment certificates and Business registration documents. Certified English translations should always be submitted together with the original Thai documents.

7. Submitting additional documents after the deadline

What can cause delays?: The Department of Home Affairs requests additional documents, but the student submits incomplete information or misses the specified deadline.

How to avoid it: If additional documents are requested, students should submit them before the deadline provided. If the Department of Home Affairs contacts you by email or issues a notification through your ImmiAccount, it means your application is still being considered, but further evidence is required. Students should never ignore these requests. The email will specify a submission deadline, and failure to respond may result in a visa refusal. Students should also attend their biometric appointment on the scheduled date and time. Missing appointments can also delay the visa process.

Interested in Studying in Australia?

For more information and assistance with the application process, please contact One Education, an official representative of leading Australia universities. We offer free consultation and support throughout your application journey.
Add our Line official account: @one-edu     
Submit an enquiry form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.      
Call us: 02-652-0718       

One Education | Study Abroad. Simplified   

Follow Us     

Facebook: One Education       
Instagram: oneeducationthailand       
Twitter: One Education       
TikTok: oneeducationthailand        
YouTube: One Education