Australia to relax visa norms to attract back the Indian students

Melbourne: Worried by sharp decline in the international students' numbers especially Indians, the Australian government is all set to relax visa norms further.

The decision has coincided with former New South Wales minister Michael Knight's report that calls for loosening the onerous immigration requirements for international students.

The government has accepted all 41 recommendations made by the 'Knight Review'. These recommendations include similar assessment level for all international students regardless of their country of passport. The students would also need to show A$36,000 less to get Australian student visa.

"The university and vocational education sectors have been concerned for some time that the visa system was making them uncompetitive in what is stiff competition among provider nations," Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said on Thursday.

The changes proposed by the Labor government include a more streamlined visa process for international students coming down under for higher studies. This would mean easing financial criteria. International students are now required to prove they have sufficient funds to finance their studies and living expenses in Australia upfront.

The post-studies work visa is likely to be of two to four years' validity depending upon the level of studies completed by the international student in Australia.

While the financial requirements would be relaxed considerably, the student have to establish their genuineness of being a students and have plans to return to home country after finishing the studies

The assessment levels which decide financial requirements for various countries have been the major impediment for students from countries like India and China as they are classified as "high risk" countries. The higher assessment levels also mean students have to show much more funds in the bank accounts before student visa could be issued.