Visa application checks to be strengthened to prevent fraud

As one more step to clean the image of its overseas education industry which has recently been hit by scams and attacks on Indian students in the country, Australia announced on Thursday that from now onwards, visa application checks will be strengthened to keep a check on fraud and make sure that only genuine students are able to enroll in courses in Australia.

As one more step to clean the image of its overseas education industry which has recently been hit by scams and attacks on Indian students in the country, Australia announced on Thursday that from now onwards, visa application checks will be strengthened to keep a check on fraud and make sure that only genuine students are able to enroll in courses in Australia.

Chris Evans, the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, said that no fraud would be tolerated by Australia in the student visa program and only genuine international students will be entertained. He said that the entry of genuine international students will be supported by convenient and efficient service by the department.

The minister said that there has been an increase in applications for student visas by over twenty percent with the figure going up to 362,193 in 2008-09. An official statement said that almost 28,000 student visas were refused which marks 68 percent more refusal in comparison to refusals in the year 2007-08.

He said that though the rates of student visa compliance still remain high, there are few things to worry about in the system and the way students are admitted.