AHMEDABAD: Australia has joined the US and Canada in tightening immigration norms for Indian students, with several universities halting applications from six states, including Gujarat.
Recently, several Australian universities, including Federation University, Western Sydney University, Victoria University, and Southern Cross University, have placed curbs on student visa applications from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The move is part of a broader visa crackdown by the Australian govt aimed at curbing abuse of the student visa route.
According to visa consultants and foreign education experts, this development has rattled consultants and students alike, especially in Gujarat where Australia has been among the top three choices for higher education.
An estimated 20% of students from the state heading abroad typically choose Australia, a figure likely to drop with these new restrictions.
“This has dramatically reduced the number of opportunities available to students. Of every 100 students who plan to study overseas, at least 20 are directly impacted. With Canada and the US already tightening immigration policies, and now Australia going the same way, the list of accessible countries is shrinking. While there’s no official govt statement yet, the message is quite clear,” said Bhavin Thaker, a foreign education consultant.
“The decision by Australian universities to restrict applications from certain regions within India will impact genuine students. The majority of applicants are sincere, and they can be easily identified based on their academic scores, background, and intent. Blanket bans only add to the frustration,” explained Lalit Advani, a visa consultant.
The tightening of entry norms in multiple countries comes at a time when demand for international education among Indian students is at an all-time high. With the UK also reconsidering its post-study visa policy, students are finding it increasingly difficult to plan their academic futures abroad.
Australia, once seen as a safe fallback, now appears to be a tough nut to crack, further narrowing the pathway for India’s aspiring global scholars.
The Australian High Commission however, rejected the claim of any such restrictions.
“The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect. There are over 125,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia – the second largest cohort of students from any country – and the Australian Government continues to process Indian student visa applications in line with our global standards. India and Australia continue to have a very strong relationship in the field of education. Australia deeply values Indian students, and the Australian Government welcomes their contribution to our classrooms and Australian society,” a spokesperson of the Australian High Commission in New Delhi stated.
