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Australia has increased their scrutiny of student visa applications from three countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, after moving these South Asian nations into its highest risk category due to what it calls “emerging integrity issues,” according to Australian media reports.
The Home Affairs Department confirmed that on January 8, 2026, the Eligibility Levels for several South Asian countries were altered during an unusual out-of-cycle review. These nations were moved from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3, the highest risk tier under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework.
Last year, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan made up nearly a third of all international student enrollments. A spokesperson for Home Affairs stated that these changes aim to better manage integrity risks while still supporting genuine students.
“This adjustment helps us address emerging integrity concerns more effectively while continuing to allow authentic students to pursue quality education in Australia,” the spokesperson said. They also emphasized that the government wants to ensure international students have confidence that they’re investing in a top-tier education system.
Dr. Abul Rizvi, a former deputy secretary of the Immigration Department, described the move as “highly unusual,” noting that Evidence Levels are typically updated just once annually. Under this framework, countries are evaluated based on factors such as visa refusals related to fraud, visa cancellations, unlawful overstays, and applications for refugee status following visa violations.
A Level 3 rating requires applicants and education providers to submit more detailed documentation, including proof of financial stability and academic records. Dr. Rizvi explained this would lead to increased manual verification, such as transcript and financial statement checks, which could slow down processing times.
The decision follows a recent visit to India by Julian Hill, the country’s Assistant Minister for International Education, who met with Home Affairs officials during his trip.
Dr. Rizvi suggested that authorities might have conducted special data analyses after noticing a rise in concerning cases from these countries.
Although the government has not adjusted its national planning target of 295,000 student placements for 2026, Dr. Rizvi noted that higher refusal rates from the affected nations could lead to the need to source more students from other countries.
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