International students from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan will now face significantly stricter visa scrutiny after the Australian government quietly shifted all four countries into the highest‑risk category for student visas, citing “emerging integrity issues.”
The move, made on Thursday, places the nations from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3 the most stringent tier under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Former Immigration Department deputy secretary Dr Abul Rizvi described the mid‑cycle adjustment as “highly unusual,” given that Evidence Levels are typically reviewed on a fixed schedule.
A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs confirmed the change, stating that “on 8 January 2026, Evidence Levels of several countries in South Asia were altered.”
The department said the shift would help manage integrity concerns while still allowing “genuine students” to access Australian education opportunities.
A Major Shift for Australia’s International Education Sector
The four countries collectively made up nearly one‑third of all international student enrolments in Australia last year, meaning the decision will have wide‑ranging implications for universities, vocational colleges and migration pathways.
The update follows a recent visit to India by Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for International Education, who met with Home Affairs officials stationed there. His trip focused on visa processing, fraud concerns and the rapid growth of South Asian student numbers.
How Evidence Levels Work
Under the SSVF, each country and education provider is assigned an Evidence Level based on several risk indicators, including:
Rates of visa refusals, including those linked to fraud
Frequency of visa cancellations
Instances of student visa holders becoming unlawful non‑citizens
Rates of subsequent refugee or protection visa applications
A higher Evidence Level means applicants must provide more documentation, face greater scrutiny, and may experience longer processing times.
The government has not yet indicated whether further countries may be reclassified, but the sudden shift signals a tightening of Australia’s migration and education integrity framework as student numbers continue to surge.
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