Australia puts India in 'highest-risk' category for student visas

Australia has reclassified India to the highest-risk category (Assessment Level 3, or AL3) for student visas, imposing stricter documentary requirements and greater scrutiny on applications. The assessment framework ranges from AL1 (lowest risk) to AL3 (highest risk). This shift moves India from AL2 to AL3, despite it being one of Australia's largest source countries for international students, accounting for nearly 140,000 of the country's approximately 650,000 enrolments. The changes took effect on 8th January this year, with the statement reading, "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. Students will now be required to provide "more extensive proof of finances, English proficiency and genuine temporary entrant intentions, among other criteria.

In addition, several other South Asian countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, have also been reclassified to the AL3 category. Pakistan remains in this highest-risk tier. According to Australia Today, Julian Hill, Minister for International Education, said that Australia has become "the least worst country of choice amongst the Big 4" for international students. The other three countries being the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

It is said that the recent massive fake degree bust in India could be a reason behind the classification. Australian Senator Malcolm Roberts accused Prime Minister Antony Albanese's government of failing to act against this fraud. "Police in India have allegedly seized 100,000 forged certificates from 22 universities, with 1 million-plus likely used for jobs abroad," Roberts wrote on X.