Australia Hikes Student Visa Fees Again in Fresh Blow to Thousands of Kenyan Applicants
Australia has announced a sweeping increase in visa application fees, dealing another financial blow to thousands of Kenyan students and other travellers seeking entry into the country.
The new charges, which took effect on July 1, were confirmed by the Australian Government and apply across almost all major visa categories, with most application fees increasing by about 25 per cent.
The sharp rise departs significantly from Australia’s usual annual visa fee adjustments, which are typically linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and average around three per cent.
Among those most affected are international students. The Student Visa (Subclass 500) now costs USD2,500 (approximately KSh323,000), up from USD2,000 (around KSh260,000), increasing the cost of studying in Australia at a time when living expenses and tuition fees have also risen.
Graduates hoping to remain in Australia after completing their studies will also pay substantially more. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which allows eligible graduates to live and work in Australia temporarily, has increased from USD4,600 (about KSh594,000) to USD5,750 (approximately KSh743,000).
In addition, Australian authorities have introduced a new application fee for the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) visa, set at USD2,050 (around KSh265,000). The visa is intended for international students enrolling in intensive English-language programmes designed to improve language proficiency before pursuing further education or employment opportunities in Australia.
The latest revision marks the second increase in student visa charges within just four months, adding further pressure on prospective international students who are already facing higher education and accommodation costs.
The timing is particularly significant for Kenya. According to recent data released by Australia’s Department of Education, approximately 10,000 Kenyan students are currently studying in Australia, making Kenya the largest source of international students from Africa.
The fee adjustments extend beyond student visas.
Applicants seeking Partner Visas (Subclasses 820 and 801) will now pay USD11,710 (about KSh1.5 million), up from USD9,365 (approximately KSh1.2 million)—an increase of roughly USD2,345 (KSh303,000) per application.
Visitor visas have also become more expensive. The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) for offshore applicants has increased from USD200 (around KSh23,000) to USD250 (approximately KSh33,000).
Those applying from within Australia will pay even more, with onshore Visitor Visa fees rising from USD500 (about KSh65,000) to USD630 (approximately KSh81,000).
The increases are expected to affect not only students but also thousands of Kenyan tourists and families. Industry estimates suggest that between 2,000 and 3,000 Kenyans travel to Australia annually on visitor visas, many to visit relatives, friends, or attend family events.
Australian authorities say the revised charges form part of broader changes to the country’s migration programme, although the higher costs are expected to increase the financial burden on international applicants, particularly students from developing countries.
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