Australia tightens visa rules

Reclassification raises processing timelines and compliance burdens, though universities reaffirm commitment to genuine Indian students

- Simple Vishwakarma

Australia has tightened its student visa rules or Indian applicants, placing India in the highest-risk category under its student visa framework, a move expected to slow approvals and intensify scrutiny in the coming months.

The change, which took effect on January 8, 2026, has introduced a sharper compliance regime for applicants from India and other South Asian nations newly categorised as high risk.

Under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), India has been shifted from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3. Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan have also been moved into the same category. Australian media reports suggest the reclassification was carried out outside the regular review cycle, an unusual step that signals rising concern within the country’s immigration system over potential vulnerabilities.

In a statement, Australian authorities said the decision was driven by “emerging integrity risks” and was aimed at protecting the credibility of the international education sector. The government stressed that the revised measures are designed to support genuine students while discouraging misuse of the student visa programme, which has expanded rapidly since borders reopened after the pandemic.