Australia Tightens Student Visa Rules, Moves India to Highest Risk Tier

Australia has introduced stricter integrity measures for international student visas, reclassifying several South Asian countries into its highest risk assessment tier, a move expected to result in tougher scrutiny and longer processing times for applicants

Under the revised framework, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan have been placed in Assessment Level 3 (AL3), the highest risk category used by Australian immigration authorities. The change took effect in early January 2026 and was implemented outside the usual review cycle, signalling heightened concern within Canberra over visa compliance issues.

Pakistan, which was already classified under AL3, remains in the same category, while Sri Lanka has been moved from the lowest risk tier, AL1, to the intermediate AL2 level. Assessment levels range from AL1 to AL3 and directly determine the amount of documentation and verification required during student visa processing.

Although Australian authorities have not released country-specific justifications, officials have pointed to emerging integrity risks linked to student visa applications, including suspected cases of falsified academic credentials and questionable financial records from parts of South Asia.

The updated assessment was circulated through Australia’s international education monitoring system earlier this month, marking the second revision in less than four months, following a previous adjustment in September 2025. The frequency of changes has raised concerns across the education sector.

India remains Australia’s largest source of international students, accounting for a significant share of total enrolments. Collectively, the countries now placed in the highest risk category represent a substantial portion of Australia’s international student population, amplifying fears of disruption to enrolments and institutional planning.

Education stakeholders warn that applicants from higher-risk countries typically face increased financial disclosure requirements, stricter English language verification and more intensive checks to prove genuine study intentions. These measures can increase costs, delay approvals and discourage prospective students.

Australian officials have defended the tougher stance as necessary to protect the integrity of the visa system, particularly as policy tightening in other major destinations has redirected global student flows toward Australia. Further guidance from relevant government departments is expected to clarify how the new classifications will be enforced and whether they signal a long-term policy shift.

As the 2026 academic year approaches, universities and education agents are calling for clearer communication and policy stability to ensure genuine students are not unfairly affected by abrupt regulatory changes.