The potential implementation of stricter student visa rules by the Australian government has raised concerns among Indian students interested in pursuing their studies in Australia.
Education experts believe that a stricter visa policy by Australian authorities would likely be considered by Indian students and push them to consider other study destinations, VisaGuide.World reports.
According to a report from the Times of India, Australia is among the most sought-after destinations for students from India. In 2024 alone there were registered a total of 1, 18,109 Indian students.
News of Potential Cap on Foreign Students Is Having a Negative Impact
Vice President (global engagement) and CEO (South Asia), of Deakin University, Ravneet Pawha, told Times of India that the Australian government at present is assessing various factors in order to maintain a balanced approach to international student enrolment as well as immigration policies.
Pawha said that while there is discussion related to the potential caps, Deakin University remains committed to providing a stable and welcoming environment for all foreign students.
We continue to see strong interest from Indian students in pursuing their education in Australia. We encourage prospective students to stay updated through official channels regarding any changes in immigration policies.
Discussions on a cap on student visas and tougher immigration policies have been ongoing in Australia.
The director of overseas education consultancy company, Edwise International, Sushil Sukhwani, said that the cap on student visas has not been announced yet, however, the buzz among institutions and their representatives is that it will be in place post the federal elections in Australia.
While we don’t know when the elections will be held, many experts in the international education sector believe that the cap on international student numbers will not be waved off. The news on caps is definitively having an impact on Indian students and their interest in Australia.
Iranian PhD Students Facing Long Delays for Australian Visas
Indian students are not the only ones concerned about Australian visa practices. Recently, it was reported that Iranian doctoral candidates wishing to study in Australia are facing long waiting times, which in some cases surpass two years.
Over 100 Iranian students on social media expressed their concerns related to the extended visa waiting times. They claim that visa waiting times go from six to 29 months.
A representative of the group, identified as Ebtesam to Times Higher Education added that there is no clear or consistent pattern related to visa approval or visa processing times.