Urgent 2026 Policy Shift: Nepal, India, and Bhutan Re-Classified to Evidence Level 3

In an unusual out-of-cycle decision on January 8, 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs officially re-rated Nepal, India, and Bhutan from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3 (AL3) for Student Visa (Subclass 500) processing.

This is the strictest integrity setting under the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), typically reserved for regions with emerging compliance risks. For thousands of students in Sydney, Parramatta, Rockdale, Adelaide, and Canberra, this change is not just a policy tweak—it is a hurdle that requires expert strategic planning to overcome.

What Does Evidence Level 3 Mean for You?

Under the new AL3 status, the "simplified" part of the visa framework is largely removed for South Asian applicants. Case officers will no longer accept "declaration-only" financial claims. You must now provide comprehensive, upfront evidence before a visa can even be considered for finalization.

Key 2026 Requirements for AL3 Countries:

  • 6-Month Financial History: You must provide bank statements covering at least 3 to 6 months to prove the stability of your funds.
  • Detailed Source of Funds: "Sudden deposits" are now a major red flag. You must provide audited income records, tax returns, or business registration documents for your sponsors.
  • Living Expense Thresholds: As of early 2026, the minimum living expense requirement has been set at AUD $29,710 per year, plus one year of tuition and return travel costs.

Navigating the Change with Right and Associates

With 25 years of excellence and over 15,000 success stories, Right and Associates is the bridge between our community and the Department of Home Affairs. While high-volume agencies or AI-driven tools may struggle with these manual verification hurdles, our Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) specialize in "complex" cases.

Whether you are visiting our head office at 301 Castlereagh Street in Sydney CBD or our branches in Parramatta, Rockdale, Adelaide, or Canberra, we ensure your application is "decision-ready". We understand the cultural nuances of financial documentation in Nepal, India, and Bhutan—from verifying land sale proceeds to documenting family sponsorships.

Why "DIY" Is No Longer an Option in 2026

The 2026 "Genuine Student" (GS) test has replaced the old GTE, placing a higher emphasis on your actual study intent. With refusal rates expected to exceed 20% for AL3 cohorts this year, a single error in your source-of-wealth explanation can lead to a long-term ban under PIC 4020.

Our Strategy for Your Success:

  1. Financial Audit: We pre-screen your bank statements to ensure they meet the 6-month stability rule.
  2. Custom GS Statements: We move beyond generic templates to craft a statement that reflects your true academic progression.
  3. Local Expertise: Our teams in Sydney, Rockdale, and Parramatta provide face-to-face guidance to help you navigate these sudden shifts without stress.

Don't let policy changes stall your Australian dream. Book your 2026 Strategy Session with Right and Associates today.

Frequently Asked Questions

They were moved from Evidence Level 2 to Level 3. This means you must now provide full financial and English language evidence upfront with your visa application, rather than just declaring you have the funds.

You must show at least AUD $29,710 for 12 months of living costs, plus the cost of your first year's tuition and approximately $2,000 for travel.

Yes, but under AL3, the loan must be from a recognized financial institution and clearly state that funds are available for both tuition and living expenses.

Processing times are expected to increase. While they previously took around 3 weeks, AL3 assessments can now take between 8 to 12 weeks due to manual verification of documents.

With 25 years of experience, we have successfully navigated every major policy overhaul since 2001. Our MARA-registered agents provide a "National Strategy," meaning if metropolitan Sydney is too competitive, we can pivot your plan to our regional teams in Adelaide or Canberra.