Key points
- India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan reclassified
- Countries moved to highest risk level
- Visa processing times set to increase
SYDNEY: Australia has placed India in its highest student visa risk category, tightening scrutiny of applications amid concerns over fraud and integrity issues, a move expected to slow processing times and increase documentation requirements for prospective students.
The decision places India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan in the highest risk category under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), subjecting applicants from the four countries to stricter checks as authorities cite “emerging integrity risks” in student visa applications.
The new categorisation came into effect on January 8, 2026, with the four South Asian countries shifted from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3, Australian media reported. The re-rating was carried out outside the usual review cycle, signalling heightened concern among immigration authorities.
In a statement, the Australian administration said the change would help manage integrity issues while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking quality education in Australia. Under the new rules, applicants from the affected countries will face more rigorous screening, including detailed background checks and additional documentation requirements.
Verified bank statements
Indian students, in particular, may be asked to submit manually verified bank statements, provide extra proof of English-language proficiency, and face checks in which visa officers can directly contact educational institutions and referees. Processing times are also expected to increase, extending from an average of three weeks to up to eight weeks.
While officials did not cite a specific trigger for India’s reclassification, the move follows reports of fake degree scandals in India that attracted international attention. India currently accounts for nearly 140,000 of Australia’s 650,000 international students, while the four reclassified countries together made up almost one-third of total enrolments in 2025.
Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, said authorities had observed a rise in fraudulent academic and financial documents, particularly among applicants who were unsuccessful elsewhere and then turned to Australia.
He said placing countries in the highest risk category would strengthen filtering to ensure applicants demonstrate genuine study intentions.
