E-Paper
Sign In
Australia tightens visa rules for Indian students, moves nation to 'high-risk category'
Evidence Level 3 represents the strictest integrity setting and is generally applied where there is a higher risk of fraud, visa refusal, or non-compliance
- PUBLISHED: Tue 13 Jan 2026, 2:37 PM
- By:
- Ajanta Paul
- Share:
Australian authorities have imposed stricter visa scrutiny for Indian students planning to travel to study Down Under. They have adjusted student visa evidence levels taking effect on January 8, according to information published by the Department of Home Affairs.
India, along with Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan have been moved into the highest-risk category — from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3 and the department cited "emerging integrity issues" for the change.
Recommended For You
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels
What Level 3 means for Indian students
Evidence Level 3 represents the strictest integrity setting and is generally applied where there is a higher risk of fraud, visa refusal, or non-compliance.
Indian students applying for Australian visas will face stricter screening. Applicants may be asked to provide additional documents, and background checks could be more thorough.
Bank statements will be manually verified, extra English language evidence may be required, and visa officers will have the authority to contact institutions or referees directly. Processing times are expected to increase from three to eight weeks.
What is Evidence Level
Evidence levels are part of Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) and determine the financial and English-language documentation required from student visa applicants. Under the framework, evidence levels are assigned to both countries and CRICOS-registered education providers based on immigration outcomes, not the academic quality of institutions.
The levels are calculated using a weighted average based on the total number of international students — both applicants and holders of student visas — who have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for their principal course of study from the education provider.
The following weightings and indicators are used to determine the evidence level for each education provider and country under the SSVF:
Rate of visa cancellations: 25%
Rate of refusals due to fraud: 40%
Rate of refusals (excluding fraud): 10%
Rate of student visa holders becoming unlawful non-citizens: 15%
Rate of subsequent Protection Visa applications: 10%
Based on these calculations, evidence levels are allocated to each education provider and country.
How do we know India is in Level 3?
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs does not publish a standalone, up‑to‑date list of which countries are at Evidence Level 3 in a sortable table or on its site.
According to official explanations of the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), evidence levels are internal risk settings and are reflected in the Document Checklist Tool rather than a public country table. The department does not make a list of country levels publicly available, and advises users to check individual requirements via the checklist tool instead.
The confirmation that India has been moved to Evidence Level 3 comes from official statements attributed to the Department of Home Affairs spokesperson (or Home Affairs officials).
News.com.au said that a Home Affairs spokesman confirmed that “on January 8, 2026, Evidence Levels (EL) of several countries in South Asia were altered. This change will assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia."
How to verify the level yourself?
Go to the Australian Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/web-evidentiary-tool
Select Subclass 500 (Student visa).
Select India as the passport country.
Select an education provider (CRICOS code).
The checklist will indicate the documentation required.
If the requirements are consistent with a Level 3 setting (full financials, detailed evidence, manual checks), India is effectively Level 3 under the framework.
Why countries were rerated?
Under the Australia's Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), countries and providers are assigned an EL based on a number of factors including rate of refusals due to fraud or other reasons, rate of visa cancellations, rate of student visa holders becoming unlawful non-citizens, and rate of subsequent refugee applications.
The combined evidence level outcomes of the student’s education provider and country of citizenship determines whether a student needs to provide evidence of financial and English language capacity with their Student visa application.
Ajanta Paul is a Senior Editor on the Digital team. A natural leader and newshound, she thrives in breaking news and high-pressure situations — and enjoys reporting on community issues that matter to UAE residents.
