Kathmandu. Australia is preparing to tighten the visa process for international students. The government has proposed to double the amount to be shown in the bank account by tightening the financial capacity test of the students.

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs proposed four options for proving financial capacity in a discussion paper released on October 30. Under the proposal, students would have to provide proof that they have deposited 50 per cent of the total tuition fees and living expenses or 100 per cent of the fees and living expenses of the first year into an Australian bank account.

In some alternatives, the amount should have been deposited in the account one to three months before applying for the visa. It is also proposed that financial capacity can be proved through recognized educational loans, scholarships and personal savings.

In the new system, the source of money shown in the bank, ownership and access to the student will also be checked. The income that can be earned by working in Australia will not be considered as a proof of financial capacity.

Along with this, the government is also going to review the criteria for identifying real students. It is proposed that the educational background of the students, the subject chosen and the reason for studying in Australia will be evaluated with more priority.

According to Australian media ABC, more than 51 percent of the applications for student visas from Nepal were rejected in the last fiscal year.

The Department of Home Affairs has sought suggestions on the proposed system by November 23, 2026. Based on the suggestions received, the government will decide whether to implement the new system or not.