Melbourne: In Australia, stringent visa policies aimed at discouraging applications from non-genuine students have caused disruptions for both international students and universities. This crackdown, part of a government initiative to halve net migration by 2025, has led to a surge in visa refusals and prolonged processing times
The impact on students
Rajesh, a student from India, waited over a year for his visa, while two of his friends saw their PhD offers expire after waiting for more than 10 months. The delays disproportionately affect applicants from regions like Uttar Pradesh, which universities flag due to concerns about non-genuine applicants.
"Tougher visa conditions and English-language tests are additional contributing factors leading to higher refusal rates. Visas granted to Indian, Nepalese, and Pakistani students have plummeted by as much as 55% in recent months
Financial and academic disruptions
Zeeshan Malik, president of the Pakistani Students Association of Australia, highlights the financial impact on institutions and the distress experienced by students facing visa refusals. Many students he mentioned had deferred or withdrawn their applications due to processing delays.
Universities response
The University of Sydney reports that a significant number of students are deferring or withdrawing their applications due to delays, while the University of Melbourne has faced challenges with visa approvals for the 2024 intake. Central Queensland University has introduced restrictions on enrollments from specific demographics to manage visa risks
The blanket ban is hurting all and sundry
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), criticizes the stigmatization of entire nations, urging a more nuanced approach to policy. The restrictive measures are impacting Australia's reputation as a study destination for students with diverse backgrounds.
"Despite the government's intentions to restore integrity to the migration system, the consequences are felt deeply across academic communities and international student populations, prompting concerns about fairness and the future of Australia's global education sector.