The days of writing a simple "GTE Statement" and getting your visa approved are over.
If your Student Visa (Subclass 500) is expiring in early 2026, or if you are preparing to graduate and move to the 485 Visa, you need to know that the Department of Home Affairs has changed the game.
The new Genuine Student (GS) requirement is stricter, smarter, and faster to refuse generic applications.
As the Best Nepali Migration Agent in Canberra, located just minutes from the ANU and Canberra Centre, Right and Associates is currently helping hundreds of students navigate this dangerous transition. Here is what you need to know to stay safe.
The New "GS" Test: Why Copy-Paste = Refusal
In the past, students often copied generic "Statements of Purpose" from the internet. Do that in 2026, and you will likely be refused.
The new GS form asks targeted questions (maximum 150 words each) that demand specific evidence:
- "Why this course?" You can't just say "It is good." You must link the course units specifically to job vacancies in your home country (Nepal, India, etc.).
- "Why this provider?" You need to explain why you chose UC or ANU over a cheaper college in Sydney.
- "What are your ties to home?" This is where many fail. We help you document your family assets, social ties, and future job prospects in Nepal to prove you have a reason to return.
Transitioning to the 485 (Graduate) Visa: The "Canberra Bonus"
Graduating from a Canberra institution gives you a massive advantage—IF you claim it correctly.
Because Canberra is classified as a Category 2 Regional Area, you are eligible for:
- The Standard 485: Up to 2-3 years depending on your degree.
- The "+1 Year" Extension: If you live and study in Canberra, you may be eligible for a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa, giving you an extra year of work rights.
The Trap: You must have maintained your residence in a regional area (Canberra) while holding your first 485 visa. If you moved to Sydney for 3 months to work, you might lose this extension.
The "Gap" Danger: 500 to 485
Many students miscalculate the dates.
- The Scenario: Your student visa expires on March 15, but your "Completion Letter" isn't ready until March 20.
- The Risk: If you lodge the 485 too early (before your course is officially "completed"), it will be refused. If you lodge too late (after your visa expires), you become unlawful.
- The Solution: We can help you lodge a valid application or secure a short-term Bridging Visa to cover the gap safely.
Why Canberra Students Trust Right and Associates
We are the local experts on University Avenue.
- We Know the Colleges: We know exactly when ANU, UC, and CIT release their completion documents. We time your application perfectly.
- We Speak "Department": We know how to write GS answers that satisfy the Case Officer without sounding robotic.
- We Plan for PR: We don't just get you a 485 visa. We make sure your 485 strategy aligns with the ACT Matrix, ensuring you are building points from Day 1.
Don't Let a Form Ruin Your Hard Work
You have spent years studying. Don't risk it all on a last-minute visa application.
Let the best Nepali migration team in Canberra handle the paperwork while you focus on your graduation.
Visit us in Canberra: 📍 Address: Suite 1A, Level 3, 17-21 University Ave, Canberra ACT 2601 📞 Phone: +61 2 6179 6786 📧 Email: canberra@rassociates.com.au