Application for Visa Extension (Sub Class 500)

Date:
Subject: Application to extend Visa (Grant No. -1069542364277), Sub Class 500.

For Kind Attention of:

Immigration Officer
Dept of Home Affairs, Australia

Mam/Sir,
I am writing this letter to request an extension of my Australian Travel Visa (Sub Class 500). I am currently a student at La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne, (Student ID – 20666528). As a Master’s in Bio Technology and Bio Informatics student at the University, I have successfully completed my first semester in a blended mode with three subjects completed on campus, since January 2022 and earning the 120 pass credit points, required to progress towards the final year of my higher education.
My residential address in Australia is 17, Tarrion Rise, Craigieburn VIC 3064. I have been living at this address since January 2022 while focussing singularly on my education. I have performed in fashion of a sincere scholar throughout my first year of Masters and eagerly look forward to completing my degree. My chosen study program is an organic progression of my educational interests and aligns perfectly with my academic and vocational goals. The Master’s education will conclude in June 2023, whereas my current Visa (Grant No. 1069542364277) is expiring on 30th August 2022.
Therefore, I am forwarding my Visa (Sub class 500) request for extension till June 2023 for your approval. In this letter, I am elucidating my academic rationale & progress, reasons for visa extension, amongst other details, for your kind review and perusal.
Family and Educational Background
My family in India comprises of my father, mother and a younger sister. We are a well-established household, living in the city of _ since last generations. My father is a successful business man, while my mother is a home maker and my pillar of strength. She is an edified educationist as well and has forever encouraged me and my sister to pursue our study goals with diligence and discipline.
Biology and Life Sciences have been an area of interest since senior school. I completed my school education from Dayanand Model Senior Secondary School in science stream, choosing to study Biology over Mathematics. Post completing my schooling in 2015, Summa Cum Laud, I readily enrolled at the Lovely Professional University, India to pursue my undergraduate degree in Bio Technology. My interest and curiosity in the field has always led me to learn the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.
The comprehensive undergraduate curriculum made me privy to the academia and use cases concerning Bio-Tech. I was able to gain important insights spanning Bio-Physical Chemistry, Recombinant DNA technology, and Genetic Engineering amongst other study modules. I additionally worked hard to develop a robust research praxis and collaborated extensively for practicum experiences. In 2018, I earned my undergraduate degree, scoring an aggregate of 6.1, and immediately begun to explore my interest in Synthetic Biology through an online course offered by Bio Tec Nikka Pvt Ltd.
Not only did I complete the certification, I was amongst the toppers in my class and scored 97.8% marks. For the success imperative of my career as a Bio Tech researcher, I started to explore Master’s educational opportunities and after exhaustive research, found the program at the La Trobe University, best suited to my learning needs.
Academic Progression at La Trobe University
I enrolled at the university on __ and have completed my one years of Masters in Bio Technology and Bio informatica. Hitherto, earning a total of 120 credit points and completing five subjects in online mode and three subjects on campus. I am currently carrying out comprehensive research work for the Projects A & B from my first academic year and preparing to start my third trimester. The program is due completion in June 2023.
I am attaching my Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and my Academic Transcript issued by the university, with this letter for your review.

Reasons for Visa Extension Request
As my Master’s studies begin, I applied and successfully received my study Visa (Sub Class 500, Visa grant number 1069542364277) in August 2020. However, due to COVID related travel restrictions, I was not able to travel to Australia and attend physical classes. Therefore, I started my studies in an online mode. By August 2021, I successfully cleared my first five subjects. The subsequent three subjects, BIO5SCS, BIO5BBM, and BIO5PRO were research based and required live mentorship and lab infrastructure for better comprehension.
Hence, after consulting with my academic counsellor at La Trobe, I decided that taking a six-months leave from (mention duration) would be the best option for me; to wait out the international travel restrictions and eventually learn these critical study modules at the campus.
The said academic leave has also extended my course duration till June 2023. I arrived in Australia in January 2022 and have since earned substantial pass credits in all my remaining subjects from the first year. However, to complete my final year at La Trobe, I am requesting for my study Visa extension till June 2023.
Reasons for Visa-Fee Waiver Request
I request you to consider granting a Visa-Fee Waiver, applicable to the extension of my Visa application. My earlier Visa Grant (No. 1069542364277) was issued after February 2020 which makes me eligible for the same; as per the guidelines of your department concerning the cases of Visa extensions in Sub Class 500 and Higher Education Sector.
Future Goals
A recognised Master’s in Bio Technology & Bio Informatica will give significant impetus to my research aspirations and to the acceptance of my ideas amongst reputable research centres in India. While at La Trobe campus, I am driven to excel and gaining theoretical knowledge in the domains of Proteomics, Genomics and Bio-Chemistry. My research areas include developing utilities around Genome Sequencing and to develop comprehensive literature reviews concerning Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering.
After successfully concluding my Master’s degree and research thesis work from Australia, I will be returning to India; to join my family and to contribute productively to the Bio Informatics industry in my home country. The area of Life Sciences research is gaining unprecedented momentum in India. Both private and public plyers are investing heavily to further optimise the Pharma API sectors, in which India is a global leader and primarily in developing original genomic solutions. I aim to work with a progressive Indian research initiative for a few years, preferably with scientific objectives of preventive health measures and DNA sequencing. Post a few years of industry work, I want to focus again on original research work and therefore, may opt to pursue a good PhD program at a reputed University in India or abroad.
Financial Eligibility
My father is the primary sponsor of my foreign education in Australia. I have already paid a bulk of my fees at the La Trobe University and the expenses needed to complete my final year of education, are well within my means. For your review, I am attaching following documents to establish my candidature as a deserving student at the La Trobe University and of my financial preparedness to fund my education in Australia.
• A copy of my valid passport
• Copies of the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), Academic Transcripts, and, Paid Tuition fee receipts issued by the La Trobe University.
• A Copy of my Visa Grant issued in August 2020.
• Asset Certificate, Income details, and Latest Bank Account Statements of the primary sponsor. (Duly attested by a Chartered Accountant and Bank officer)
Undertaking
I am aware of and will strictly abide by the rules applicable to international students under the Visa Sub Class 500; as per the guidelines issued by the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. I am committed to follow the protocols of your Government and the University sans any misconduct; whether academic or otherwise. My sole reason to stay in Australia is to complete my higher education and leverage my acquired skill-bank to progress my career as a Life Science researcher in India.
I hope to have effectively reflected my suitability and learning zeal to complete my Master’s Program at the La Trobe University. I look forward to your favourable review; with sincere thanks for your time given in evaluating my application.

Sincerely