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Visa fees increase without warning, sparking outrage and disappointment

International students and families say they feel shocked and exploited after visa fees across dozens of categories rose on July 1 without warning, with some surging more than 200 per cent.

Full story at ABC News & Headlines

What readers are saying

KathW
THEY'RE DOING WHAT? Nearly $12,000 for a partner visa. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY. My friend Doris had her niece come over from England on one of those years ago, and it wasn't cheap THEN. What are young people supposed to do? It's just a SHOCKING amount, especially when it goes up without any warning like that.
CoastalLeah
Oh my goodness, this makes my heart ache for these international students and families! To increase the fees so dramatically, like the graduate visa jumping another $1,000, and without any warning... it just feels so unfair. 💖 They're coming here to build a better life or get an education, and then suddenly they're hit with these massive costs. It really does feel like they're being treated as 'cash cows' as that user said. We need to be more welcoming and supportive, don't you think?
JessG
Bloody hell, $5,750 for a graduate visa? And they just sprung it on 'em. That's a fair whack. No wonder Qiu Long feels like the government's robbing people. You bust your butt getting a diploma, probably racking up debt, and then they slug ya another grand just to stay. Makes it hard to plan anything, doesn't it? Just another way to make it tougher for young people to get ahead in this country.

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