While other ‘big four’ destinations saw a significant rise in Nepalese students, Australia stood out as the only destination with a decline in the population. 

“The Australian border remained closed to students for two years during the pandemic, creating significant demand pressure once borders reopened in early 2022. As a result, Australia granted a record high number of visas to Nepalese students in 2022,” read a report by Applyboard. 

“While a drop in 2023 was to be expected as 2022 saw essentially three years worth of demand spill into one, the 33% decline of student visas granted to Nepalese students was quite stark.”

The number drop is further corroborated by the recent statistics from Australia’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment. 

According to a report by the Kathmandu Post, while 57,000 Nepalese students are currently studying down under, only 11,000 students were granted visas this year compared to 23,000 in 2023. 

Despite 17,000 students being granted visas for higher education last year, the number dropped to 8,000 in 2024. 

“The drop in visa approvals for Nepalese students bound for Australia is likely due to stricter visa regulations, concerns over financial capacity and genuine student intent, and increased scrutiny following incidents of visa fraud.

“Additionally, shifting preferences towards other countries like Canada and the UK may also play a role,” Suchit Phuyal, CEO  at Kathmandu-based NAVC Education Group, told The PIE News. 

Australia’s introduction of a Migration Strategy in 2023, which includes higher English language proficiency, increased financial capacity provisions, a new genuine student requirement, and more, has already led to Australian institutions feeling the pinch.

The impact is evident in Nepal, where the number of students applying for vocational education and training courses has diminished. 

The drop in visa approvals for Nepalese students bound for Australia is likely due to stricter visa regulations, concerns over financial capacity and genuine student intent, and increased scrutiny following incidents of visa fraud.

Suchit Phuyal, NAVC Education Group

Only 26 Nepalese students, pursuing VET courses in Australia, have received a visa approval in 2024 compared with 1,056 last year, according to a report by the Kathmandu Post. 

“The course offered by VET and private providers used to be much cheaper due to which Nepalese students preferred to enrol in the same,” said Garriema Bista, an education consultant.

“Now, students enrolled in the relevant programs have been declined visas as the Australian government is ensuring stringent procedures in assessing and eliminating non-genuine providers that only seek to profit from students.”

With outbound student mobility from Nepal figuring among the highest in the world, at 19%, Nepalese students require an NOC from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology before studying abroad. 

Over 650,000 Nepalese students have obtained the certificate in the past 15 years. 

However, last year Nepal moved to curb outbound mobility for non-degree study options, which include vocational, diploma, advanced diploma, and language courses. 

Under the new rules, permits will only be granted for approved non-degree institutions under a new list okayed by the ministry. 

This coupled with Australia’s new policies, has led to visas granted for VET dropping by 96% in 2023 compared to 2022.

The restrictions don’t just stop at VET courses as higher education programmes abroad are also under scrutiny by the Nepalese government. 

“We have had an NOC system for many years already. The only difficulty now is that, in case any student is from a medical or engineering background, he/ she will have to take an eligibility test to get the NOC,” stated Bista.