Australia, on January 8, placed India in the “highest-risk” category for student visas. As per Australian media reports, the re-rating of the countries was out of the cycle. However, the administration
said the move follows the “emerging integrity risk.”
“This change in Evidence Levels will assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia,” reads the official website of the Department of Home Affairs.
The move leaves thousands of Indian students wondering what changes and how it could affect their plans to study in Australia. Here’s what the update brings.
What Does ‘Highest-Risk’ Mean?
Australia categorises countries based on the perceived risk associated with student visa applications. These tiers, officially called Evidence Levels, range from Level 1, considered low risk, to Level 3, which is the highest.
Under its updated Simplified Student Visa Framework, Australia moved India, along with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, from Evidence Level 2 to Level 3.
India’s shift into Evidence Level 3 means visa officers will now examine applications from Indian students far more closely than before.
Being placed in the highest-risk category does not imply a ban or rejection of visa application by default. Instead, it means applications from India will be assessed with greater caution, and applicants will need to demonstrate strong academic intent, financial stability, and credibility at every step.
What Changes For Your Visa Application?
For Indian students, the most immediate impact will be the depth of scrutiny. Applications that earlier sailed through with standard paperwork may now face additional checks.
Visa officers are expected to verify financial and educational documents more rigorously, sometimes even contacting banks or educational institutions directly to confirm details.
Processing timelines are also likely to stretch. What once took a few weeks could now take over a month, especially if documents need further verification or clarification. This means students will need to plan well in advance, leaving enough buffer time before course commencement dates.
The focus will also shift strongly towards assessing whether an applicant is a genuine student. Academic history, choice of course, institution selection, and future career plans will all be examined together to judge whether the application reflects a credible study pathway.
What You Should Do If You Are Applying For Visa?
The biggest shift required is in preparation. Financial documents must be accurate, traceable, and well-documented, with no room for ambiguity.
Statements of purpose need to clearly explain why the chosen course and university make sense academically and professionally, rather than sounding generic or copied.
With higher levels of scrutiny, even minor discrepancies can lead to delays or additional checks. Incomplete or inaccurate details in areas such as English test scores, academic records, or financial documents may therefore attract closer attention.
Hence, applicants are advised to submit clear, complete, and well-documented applications to improve their chances of approval.
