Australia student visa refusals surge, hitting Bangladesh hardest
Australia has recorded its lowest student visa approval rate in more than two decades, raising concerns among applicants, particularly from Bangladesh.
Data released by the Department of Home Affairs shows that only 67.6 percent of offshore higher-education visa applications were approved in February, the lowest rate in at least 21 years.
Bangladeshi students were among the most affected, with 51 percent of applications rejected—meaning more than half were denied visas. Other countries also saw high refusal rates, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.
Officials say stricter checks to determine “genuine students” are contributing to the rise in refusals. At the same time, applications from South Asia have surged, with Bangladesh seeing a 51 percent increase compared to last year.
The trend is also affecting universities, as visa rejection rates influence institutional risk ratings and student recruitment. Education groups, including the International Education Association of Australia, have urged authorities to pause changes to these ratings, citing growing concerns over the sharp increase in visa denials.
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