Indian students have been placed in the high risk group for visa breaches in Australia along with Bangladeshis and Combodians, a development that may result in tightening of immigration rules for them.
Based on a review of the student visa programme by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship across all applicant
countries, Indians were bracketed with Bangladeshis and Cambodians as a 'level-four' risk, which is the second highest
risk category.
The student visa programme assessment level was raised from three to four after last year's review by the Immigration
department.
No nationalities have currently been placed at level-five, the highest risk category.
Experts say the upgrade may result in significant tightening of rules for Indian students and can affect the
demand for their enrolments.
Under the new measure, Indians seeking education in Australia, will now have to prove they have enough funds to
survive for the duration of their study and pass more stringent English language tests.
Immigration risk levels for Indian students were upgraded after a department audit that found that in 2006-07, 4.66 per cent of the 58,268 Indian nationals granted visas breached their conditions, compared with an average rate among
foreign students of 1.32 per cent, an Immigration department spokesperson told PTI.
Immigration risk levels for Indian students were upgraded after a department audit that found that in 2006-07, 4.66 per cent of the 58,268 Indian nationals granted visas breached their conditions, compared with an average rate among
foreign students of 1.32 per cent, an Immigration department spokesperson told PTI.