Indian Students fall foul of strict Australian immigration checks on student visas.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have tightened up procedures surrounding student visas, refusing one-third of applications from India, according to the Times of India.
21,120 student visa applications were made between July and October of 2009 and of that number, 33.2% of the applications were refused by the DIAC. A 6.5% increase from the same months in 2008.
The Australian Department of Immigration say that documentation fraud is the main reason for the visa refusals, with many student applicants apparently overestimating their cash reserves leaving the DIAC in doubt as to whether they would be able to afford to pay for their academic pursuits.
The Times of India claim to have a copy of a letter sent by the Department of Immigration to the CEOs of Australian Universities in which the department states: “A forensic analysis of applications conducted by immigration officers at Australian High Commission in New Delhi found extremely high rates of fraud within documentation being provided in support of student visa applications in India. Over 50% of cases analysed contained at least one fraudulent document, with many of these cases containing numerous such documents.”
The tightened procedures come months after the DIAC pledged to protect overseas students from fraudulent visa agencies.
Student visa applications are on the increase. In 2007-08 there were 278,184 student visas granted, a 22% increase from the previous year. Overseas students accounted for 47% of temporary migrants into Australia. China and India make up the highest number of student visa applicants.
Indian students have recently come under attack in Australia leading to a frosty relationship between India and Australia, although Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said just one month ago in November that Indian students are welcomed in Australia. “Indian students are welcome guests in Australia. They are important for the Australian economy and we want them to stay amicably in a cordial manner.”
So whilst Indian students might be welcomed as temporary migrants to Australia in theory, in practice it seems the DIAC are tightening procedures to limit numbers of overseas students. If you are thinking of applying to study in Australia, read our student visa guide and make sure that all your supporting documentation and paperwork is correct and updated.
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