Australia has tightened its student visa rules, pushing refusal rates to the highest level in over two decades. Bhutanese applicants are among those affected. More than 36 per cent of Bhutanese student visa applications were rejected earlier this year as Australia introduced stricter financial and academic evidence requirements for South Asian applicants.
For years, Australia has been one of the top study destinations for Bhutanese students. Families save for years, take loans, and invest their life savings, hoping to send their children abroad for a better future. But getting a student visa is now becoming more difficult.
Figures from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs show that student visa refusal rates climbed to 32.5 per cent in February this year, the highest level recorded in more than two decades.
On the issuance front, Australia issued around 34,000 student visas in January and February combined. This is the lowest level recorded since 2013 outside the Covid-19 period.
The stricter checks are part of Australia’s efforts to tighten its international student system and reduce the misuse of visas.
Across South Asia, refusal rates were even higher in some countries. Nepal recorded a refusal rate of 65 per cent, followed by Bangladesh at 51 per cent, India at 40 per cent, and Sri Lanka at 38 per cent.
These countries, along with Bhutan, have been moved to Australia’s highest-risk visa category from January this year.
Education consultancies in the country say careful documentation and clear study plans are now more important for applicants.
They say incomplete documents, weak financial records and unclear study plans are becoming common reasons for rejection. However, according to them, genuine students with proper documentation are still being approved.
According to education consultancies in the country, many Bhutanese students whose visas are rejected are now exploring destinations such as Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Going by the records with Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, as of January this year, more than 7,600 Bhutanese students are studying in Australia.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Sonam Pem
