New Delhi: There is bad news for Indian students planning to study in Australia. The country’s immigration authorities have placed India in the highest-risk Evidence Level 3 category under the Simplified Student Visa Framework.
This will increase visa hurdles for Indian students, officials believe.
India has been placed alongside Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan – nations driving nearly a third of international enrollments last year, effective January 8, 2026.
The move cites rising visa cancellations, refusals, overstays, and unlawful stays, demanding applicants prove genuine study intent with extensive evidence, as reported by timesnow.in.
Nearly 140,871 Indian students currently study in Australia, with 31,197 enrolling in 2025 alone. While existing visas will remain unaffected, fresh applicants may face delays. Former Immigration deputy secretary Dr Abul Rizvi called it a “highly unusual” out-of-cycle shift, as per news.com.au.
Those planning to study Down Under must now submit detailed proof of funds, academic history, and home ties under Level 3. Genuine Temporary Entrant criteria intensify, flagging risks like protection visa bids or weak provider links. Refusal rates could rise, mirroring trends in high-risk peers, it has been reported.
Smaller nations default to Level 3 if enrollments dip below 50, unless income metrics qualify for leniency. India’s volume triggers this anyway. Families in Delhi and beyond rethink plans, as processing times stretch amid backlogs.
“This change will assist with effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students,” a Home Affairs spokesperson confirmed.
Evidence Levels hinge on data like visa overstays and non-citizen stats. Level 3 requires full documentation upfront, unlike lighter tiers. Bhutan fits small-country rules but shares the scrutiny. Indian agencies report queries surging post-announcement. Agents advise stronger English scores and affidavits. Universities worry enrollment dips, though quality focus persists.
The move aligns with global crackdowns on migration ruses. Canada and UK tightened similarly last year. Australia safeguards its $48 billion student sector without shutting doors. Applicants should monitor homeaffairs.gov.au for updates. While strong cases still succeed, but preparation is key now.
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