US EditionAustralia Tightens Student Visa Scrutiny, Moves India to Top Risk Tier
India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan now face tighter visa scrutiny in Australia, representing nearly one-third of international student enrollments last year, government says.
- On January 8, 2026 the Home Affairs Department confirmed an out-of-cycle review upgraded India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3 under the Simplified Student Visa Framework.
- Home Affairs said the move aimed to better manage emerging integrity risks while continuing to support genuine students under assessment factors including fraud-related refusals, visa cancellations, unlawful overstays and refugee applications.
- An Evidence Level 3 rating requires applicants and education providers to supply more detailed documentation on financial capacity and academic history, while the four countries' enrolment share was nearly one-third last year.
- The change followed a visit to India last month by Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for International Education, and Australian media reported tightened scrutiny of visa applications.
- Former Immigration Department deputy secretary Dr Abul Rizvi called the move `highly unusual`, while Home Affairs stressed it wanted international students to trust Australia's education system.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Australia moves India, 3 other countries to ‘highest risk’ category for student visas: media
Australia has tightened checks for student visa applicants from India, moving it to the ‘highest risk’ category along with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, according to Australian and Indian media. The Times of India reported on Sunday that the re-rating of the countries was out of cycle, quoting Australian media, while the administration said this was triggered by “emerging integrity risks”. According to the TOI report, the administration did not…
Visa delays ahead: Australia flags India, three other countries as high-risk for student visas
Australia tightens student visa checks for India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, categorizing them as high-risk. Learn about the new requirements and implications for international students.
Australia moves India into highest-risk category for student visas, cites 'emerging integrity risks' - The Times of India
Rest of World News: Australia has tightened checks for student visa applicants from India as it moved India into the 'highest-risk' category along with Nepal, Bangladesh .
Australia moves India to ‘highest risk’ category for student visas
India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan are now included in Australia’s “highest risk” category as regards student visas. This is because there are concerns over fraud in documents lodged by those four countries, Australian media has reported over the weekend. It is a massive change that will impact one-third of its international student enrollments in 2025. Titled an “out-of-cycle” measure, the re-categorization of the country as a “high-risk” nat…
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