Why Getting a Student Visa Is Becoming Harder for Indians | Vantage with Palki Sharma
January 14, 2026, 10:59 AM ISTVantage by Palki Sharma
Australia has reclassified Indian student visa applicants into its highest “high‑risk” category — Evidence Level Three. This could mean tougher checks, more paperwork, and longer processing times. Indian students applying to Australia now face deeper scrutiny, including manual bank statement verification and extended wait times making their foreign study difficult. The change also affects Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, together representing almost one‑third of foreign students. While Canberra says the move protects visa integrity, students and families can face delays, uncertainty, higher costs, and emotional stress. With global student migration tightening, education is increasingly tied to immigration policy, labour markets, and national politics.
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Why Getting a Student Visa Is Becoming Harder for Indians | Vantage with Palki Sharma
Australia is tightening its student visa rules for Indian applicants, placing them in the highest risk category, Evidence Level 3, which will result in stricter checks and longer processing times. This change affects nearly 140,000 Indian students in Australia, who now face manual verification of bank statements, additional English language proof, and direct contact with universities and referees. Processing times could increase from three weeks to eight weeks, causing delays, uncertainty, and higher costs for students. Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan are also placed in the same high-risk category, impacting one-third of Australia's international student population. This abrupt decision reflects a global trend of prioritizing control and verification in student migration policies, linking education to immigration, labor markets, and domestic politics.
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