New Delhi, January 14, 2026, 06:02 p.m. IST
Australia moves India to AL3 student visa risk category from January 2026, tightening checks, extending processing times, and impacting Indian students planning to study abroad.
Australia has reclassified India into the highest-risk Assessment Level 3 (AL3) category for student visas, marking a major policy shift effective January 8, 2026. The move reflects growing concerns within the Australian government over visa integrity, particularly as international student numbers from South Asia continue to surge.
Understanding Australia’s Assessment Levels
Under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), applicant countries are ranked based on perceived immigration and compliance risks.
- AL1 represents the lowest risk with the fastest and most streamlined processing.
- AL2 indicates moderate risk with standard verification.
- AL3 is the highest risk category and involves intensive scrutiny and manual checks.
India had previously been placed in AL2 but now joins Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan in AL3. Pakistan remains in the highest-risk category, while Sri Lanka has been downgraded to AL2.
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the decision was driven by emerging integrity concerns, including a major document-forgery network uncovered in Kerala that allegedly produced fake academic and financial certificates for over one million individuals.
What Changes for Indian Student Visa Applicants
Being placed in AL3 significantly raises the evidentiary bar for Indian applicants. Beyond standard application requirements, students must now provide verified financial documentation, including bank statements confirmed directly with financial institutions, authentic academic transcripts and qualification certificates, valid English-language proficiency scores, and detailed statements demonstrating genuine intent to study in Australia.
Automated or fast-track approvals that were common under AL1 and AL2 will largely be replaced by manual assessments. Applicants may also be required to attend interviews or respond to additional information requests.
The change affects nearly 140,000 Indian students, who account for roughly 20 percent of Australia’s total international student population of around 650,000.
Expected Impact on Processing Times
Visa processing timelines are expected to lengthen considerably. Under AL2, Indian student visas were typically processed within three weeks. Under AL3, median processing times are projected to extend to eight weeks or longer as applications undergo deeper verification.
More complex cases, especially during peak admission cycles in February and July 2026, could take two to three months. While the global median processing time for student visas stood at 41 days prior to the change, high-risk categories prioritize fraud prevention over speed.
| Risk Level | Previous Median Time | Expected Processing Time | Primary Delay Factors |
| AL1 / AL2 | ~3 weeks | Not applicable | Minimal verification |
| AL3 (India) | Not applicable | Up to 8 weeks or more | Document checks, interviews |
Broader Implications for Students and Universities
The timing of the policy shift has raised concerns among education agents and Australian universities, particularly as preparations for the 2026 academic intakes are already underway. There are fears that stricter visa rules could push Indian students toward alternative destinations such as Canada or the UK.
Experts now advise Indian applicants to apply three to four months in advance and ensure their documentation is comprehensive and verifiable to reduce the risk of delays or refusals.
While the policy aims to curb visa misuse and protect system integrity, it also highlights Australia’s delicate balancing act between migration controls and safeguarding an international education sector that contributes over AUD 48 billion annually to the national economy.
Must Read: Study in Australia’s Best Universities-Guide for Indian Students
