2026 Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) Checklist

1. Identity & Official Documents

• Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your course end date.
• National ID (Mawaqeet): Copy of your Saudi National ID or Iqama (for residents).
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): The official document issued by your university after you pay the first semester deposit.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Must cover your entire stay. Many Saudi students use Bupa, Allianz, or Medibank.
  

2. The “Genuine Student” (GS) Evidence

The GS requirement is now a series of targeted questions in your online application. You must provide evidence for every claim you make:

• Current Circumstances: Evidence of family ties in KSA (Family Book/Card) and employment history.
• Course Relevance: A logical explanation of why you aren’t studying this in KSA (e.g., specific modules not available at KSU or King Abdulaziz University).
• Future Career: A letter from a potential employer in Saudi Arabia or a “Return to Work” plan that shows how an Australian degree increases your salary in the Saudi market.
  

3. Financial Capacity (2026 Standards)

For 2026, the Australian government has increased the required “Cost of Living” amount. You must show you have access to:

• Primary Applicant: $29,710 AUD (approx. 72,000 SAR) per year for living costs.
• Tuition Fees: Remaining fees for the first year.
• Travel Costs: Approx. $2,000 AUD (for flights).
• Acceptable Proof: 3–6 months of bank statements, a sanctioned education loan, or a Financial Guarantee Letter from the Saudi Ministry of Education (MOE) or your sponsoring company (e.g., Aramco, SABIC).
  

4. English Proficiency

The 2026 minimum scores for a student visa are:

• IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.0 for ELICOS-packaged courses).
• PTE Academic: 50 overall (minimum 36 for ELICOS-packaged courses).
• Note: Test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of application.
  

5. Health & Character

• Biometrics: After submitting your visa, you must visit a VFS Global center (Riyadh, Jeddah, or Khobar) for fingerprints and a photo.
• Medical Exam: Must be done by an Australian-approved panel physician (available at select clinics like Specialized Medical Center in Riyadh).

Quick Summary Table: Fees & Processing

Pro Tip for 2026: Avoid using AI or “copy-paste” templates for your GS Statement. Australian visa officers now use detection tools, and a generic statement is one of the most common reasons for rejection.