What is CoE and Its Importance for Australia Student Visa

What is CoE and why do we need it for an Australia Student Visa?

CoE or eCoE (softcopy (generally emailed) of CoE is generally termed as eCoE ) can be defined as one of the key official documents issued by a registered course provider in Australia to provide assurance regarding the acceptance of a candidate in a particular study program/course. CoE's full form is confirmation of enrollment. CoE is considered as the key document to apply for an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500), without it you are unable to make an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500).

You may be issued with more than one CoE in case you are going to study more than one course i.e. diploma leading to degree. CoE is issued after you successfully made the initial advance fee payment for the respective course and meeting the GTE requirements as verified by the concerned institution. CoE comprised of the following information:

• Name of the Candidate
• Date of Birth
• Nationality
• Student enrollment ID at the respective institution 
• Course for which candidate has made application to study at the concerned institution
• Duration of respective course including course start and expected completion date
• CoE Number 
• Details regarding OHSC (overseas student health cover) 
• Details of scholarship or bursary awarded to the student 
• Details of proof for English language proficiency  
• Institution name and address 
• Amount of fee paid in advance 
• Total course tuition fee

How much time it will take to get a CoE?

Generally, once you made the initial fee payment, have arranged your OSHC (overseas student health cover)  and made an official acceptance in the course by signing an agreement with the concerned institution, it takes less than a week for issuance of a CoE. However, in some exceptional cases/circumstances, a university may take a longer time to release one i.e. too many applications are under process or you might ask for some additional fee payment in case you paid less than the specified amount in your offer letter or you may be asked to provide some additional documentation for release of a CoE

CoE Extension:

It is quite necessary for every international student who has a valid Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) to keep a valid CoE, otherwise his/her Australia Student Visa can be cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs. In case you are unable to complete your course in the time period specified on your CoE and you need some additional time to complete your studies, you have to extend your CoE and apply for a new student visa before your earlier provided CoE gets expired. Once you get your extended CoE, you must apply for an Australian Student Visa within the period of 45 days from issuing of the extended CoE, otherwise, the extended CoE will be expired. Also, keep in mind to apply for the extended CoE well before you wish to make an Australia Student Visa application. In order to apply for a new or extended CoE, you must have some strong reasons for the extensions: 

• In case of severe illness where you are were unable to attend the classes and require an extended time period to complete the study units which you missed as a result of your illness. You must furnish documentary evidence in support of your illness i.e. doctor report/certificate stating that you were not in a perfect situation (physically fit) to attend the classes

• University is implementing an intervention strategy for the students having unsatisfactory academic progress during the course i.e. he/she failed in some subjects/units. Intervention strategy assists students to meet course entry requirements by getting actively involved in student support services offered by the respective institution  

• Student has got approval for deferment or intermission for the course

• Extra time is required for thesis submission and examination

CoE Cancellation or What If your CoE got canceled?

You must be very careful in maintaining a valid CoE till the time you are studying at an Australian institution. If somehow your CoE got cancelled, it might seriously affect your Australian student visa (subclass 500) as well i.e. your student visa may be cancelled. If your CoE got canceled, you have 28 days time period to respond i.e. either get a new CoE or make arrangements to apply for a different visa class, otherwise, you have to leave Australia after 28 days time period from the date your CoE got canceled. Your CoE may get canceled due to either of these reasons:

• you were unable to make your tuition fee payments
• you failed to commence your studies well on time as specified on your CoE
• you failed to maintain your enrollment status at an Australian institution i.e. you discontinued your studies in Australia
• quite unsatisfactory academic performance in your studies to meet student visa requirements  
• deferring your studies to a later intake
• seeking transfer to some other institutions in Australia (in this case, you would be required a transfer release approval from your prior institution to enroll in a new institution in Australia) 
• you have withdrawn yourself from studies at an Australian institution
• you completed the course well before the time period mentioned on your CoE
• you committed a general or academic misconduct