Pakistan stays in AL3 as Canberra cites ‘integrity issues’ in South Asian visa overhaul
Australia has tightened integrity checks for international student visas, placing India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan in the highest risk assessment category, a move that may lead to stricter scrutiny and longer processing times for applicants from South Asia. Pakistan, which remains in the same category as before, was not included in the recent reclassification.
The Times of India reported that the reclassification was carried out outside the regular review cycle, citing Australian media, and was triggered by what authorities described as “emerging integrity risks”.
The report said no country-specific explanation was provided for India’s downgrade, though it noted recent international coverage of alleged fake degrees and fraudulent documentation cases originating from the region.
Separately, Australian media outlet The Australia Today reported that the revised assessment levels were issued through Australia’s PRISMS system earlier this month, marking the second such update in less than four months, following the previous revision in September 2025.
Under the updated framework, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan have been moved to Assessment Level 3 (AL3), the highest risk tier, while Sri Lanka has shifted from AL1 to AL2. Pakistan remains in AL3. Assessment levels range from AL1 (lowest risk) to AL3 and determine the level of documentary evidence and scrutiny required for student visa applications.
- India: from AL2 → AL3
- Nepal: from AL2 → AL3
- Sri Lanka: from AL1 → AL2
- Bangladesh: from AL1 → AL3
- Bhutan: from AL2 → AL3
- Pakistan: remains in AL3
According to The Times of India, India accounts for nearly 140,000 of Australia’s approximately 650,000 international students, with the four reclassified countries together representing close to one-third of total enrolments in 2025.
Impact on students and providers
The Australia Today reported that higher assessment levels typically require applicants to submit more extensive financial documentation, proof of English language proficiency and evidence of genuine temporary entrant intent. These requirements can increase costs, slow processing and deter applicants if perceived as unpredictable.
International education stakeholders told the outlet that clarity and predictability were critical, particularly for major source countries that contribute significantly to Australia’s education sector.
Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), was quoted by The Australia Today as raising concerns over the timing and frequency of the changes, especially as the first intake of the 2026 academic year gets underway.
“First and foremost, the frequency of change is causing confusion among providers here and agents offshore,” Honeywood said. “Secondly, at a time when we are trying to ensure a good start to the year intake, it appears we are still uncertain about which countries we seek to recruit students from”.
Government rationale
According to The Australia Today, Australian authorities have cited a rise in suspected fraudulent academic and financial documentation from certain source countries during recent engagements in South Asia.
Minister for International Education Julian Hill was quoted as saying Australia had become the “least worst” option among the major English-speaking destinations, as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada tightened their student visa policies. This, he said, had prompted a stronger emphasis on documentary evidence and risk filtering to protect visa integrity.
Both The Times of India and The Australia Today reported that detailed guidance from Australia’s Department of Education and Home Affairs is expected, which will clarify how the revised assessment levels will be implemented and whether the changes are temporary or reflect a longer-term shift in policy.
As the 2026 academic year approaches, education providers have called for clearer communication to ensure genuine students are not adversely affected by abrupt policy adjustments.
