Why applying for Australian Visa will be tough for Indians? Check new rules, fee hike and more

With the world economy witnessing seismic changes amid ongoing trade war between the US and China, global education system is also undergoing an overhaul. Not only US, other countries are also increasing their scrutiny of visa applications for foreign students.

These systematic changes will impact the Indian students immensely. Australia, a popular destination for Indian students, has also announced new set of rules and increased the visa application fees in order to lower the net migration numbers. Stringent language proficiency tests, tough eligibility criteria and closer monitoring of the applicants have been introduced across Australia.

As per the latest reports, Indians will have to shell out more money to apply for Australian visa. Not only this, there will be stringent checking of documents and intense language tests. These rules that come into force from April this year will result in lower visa approvals, a Times of India report said.

The TOI report said that as part of the reforms, some universities in Australia are reviewing their enrolment policies, while others have decided to bar students from Nepal and India to enrol for English language courses. The TOI report said that central Queensland University is one such educational institution that has taken drastic measures. One of them being not granting admission to married students or those who are over 25 years.

Australia has been working towards these drastic curbs due to domestic compulsions. Housing crisis, job market pressure are seen as the key drivers for these restrictions.

Another key aspect is hiking the visa fee. Effective from April this year, Indians applying for student visa will have to pay Rs 96,800 as visa fee. This is sharp increase from pervious visa fee of Rs 85,600. Similarly, business and visitor visas will also cost more. A visitor visa application will now cost Rs 9,070, whereas the work visa application will come at Rs 60,490.