Despite its limited resources and scale, Australia operates at the global frontier of knowledge creation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). Chinese nationals have played a fundamental role in making this possible. Among the world’s top AI researchers who earned a graduate qualification from an Australian institution, more than half were recruited from undergraduate programs in China. Anecdotally, in recent years this pipeline of talent appears to have encountered difficulties in securing entry visas. 

To provide an empirical basis for understanding these experiences, a survey was conducted between August and September 2025, targeting Chinese nationals who had applied, or were applying, for postgraduate study or research-related visas in Australia. 

Overall, the results indicate a consistent pattern of variable processing durations and limited communication during the visa process. These findings highlight the value of continued transparency in processing benchmarks and clear communication of procedural expectations for applicants engaged in research-related mobility.

Key findings

• Academic and visa profile: respondents were predominantly from STEM fields, particularly Engineering and Technology, followed by Fundamental Sciences, and Life and Medical Sciences. Most sought entry as PhD candidates or visiting scholars.
• Funding: funding for respondents’ study or research in Australia was largely institutional, led by the China Scholarship Council and Australian host universities. Self-funded applicants accounted for a small minority.
• Processing duration: among approved cases, the median processing time was six months with about one in six reporting waits exceeding one year.
• Visa subclass comparison: processing times differed between visa types. Temporary Activity visa applicants reported longer median waits than Student visa applicants.
• Disciplinary variation: applicants in Engineering and Technology fields reported the longest waits, followed by those in the Fundamental Sciences. Applicants in Humanities, Social Sciences and Business-related disciplines reported shorter durations.
• Perceived impacts: 84% of respondents indicated that visa processing times had a significant impact on their study or research plans. The most common effects were delayed commencement, personal or family disruption, and missed academic or work opportunities. Around 60% reported considering study or research in other countries due to the duration of visa processing times.