Australia has revised the evidence requirement level for Indian student visa applicants under its Simplised Student Visa Framework (SSVF), moving India from Evidence Level 2 (EL2) to Evidence Level 3 (EL3), the government informed Rajya Sabha.

Responding to a query, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that the change came into effect on 8 January 2026, restoring the arrangements that were in place prior to September 2025. The revised classification places Indian applicants under higher scrutiny, requiring more extensive documentation.

The move is part of Australia’s SSVF, administered by the Department of Home Affairs, which is designed to streamline visa processing for genuine students while strengthening immigration integrity and reducing administrative burden.

The query also raised concerns about the potential impact on student mobility, bilateral education ties, and India’s global higher education ambitions. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that it remains engaged in discussions with the Australian government.

The minister noted that India and Australia continue to maintain a growing education partnership, including the establishment of Australian university campuses in India. He added that the government is committed to facilitating Indian students seeking higher education and research opportunities in Australia.

Inputs from Indian Express

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