Australia has significantly increased visa fees across multiple categories, affecting thousands of Kenyan students and travellers planning to study, work, or visit the country.
According to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, the new charges took effect on July 1 and apply to almost all visa categories, with most increasing by about 25 percent, far above the usual annual 3 percent adjustment linked to inflation.
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) has risen from Ksh260,000 (USD2,000) to Ksh323,000 (USD2,500), adding pressure on international students already facing high education costs.
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), commonly used by graduates seeking work opportunities after studies, has increased from Ksh594,000 (USD4,600) to Ksh743,000 (USD5,750).
A new fee for the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) visa has also been introduced at Ksh265,000 (USD2,050), targeting students enrolled in English-language training programmes.
Authorities say the adjustment reflects broader policy changes and comes as visa fees are reviewed more frequently, with this being the second increase in just four months.
The changes are particularly significant for Kenya, where about 10,000 students are currently studying in Australia, making it the leading African source of international students in the country.
Other visa categories have also been affected, with Partner Visas (Subclass 820 and 801) rising from Ksh1.2 million (USD9,365) to Ksh1.5 million (USD11,710), while Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) fees have increased both offshore and onshore, reaching up to Ksh81,000 (USD630).
The revised costs are expected to impact thousands of Kenyans annually, including those travelling for study, work opportunities, and family visits.