As per the figures released by the Australian Immigration Department, over the last year the number of Oz offshore visa issued to Indian students plummeted quite drastically. A year ago in 2008-2009, a total number of 54,574 offshore Oz visa grants were issued to students from India. But, the number has fallen down if we see the figures from the month of July in 2009 to March 2010. During this period, Australia had only issued 11,862 visas to the Indian students. As compared to the 2008-2009 figures, this was a decline of 78 percent.

A few reasons like tougher immigration rules for overseas students and elimination of incentives offered for foreign students for applying for study course in order to obtain permanent residency in Australia are responsible for the declination in the numbers of Australian visas granted to Indian students.

But, the nation’s immigration minister Chris Evans has to say that the changes to immigration regulations do not affect foreign students in immigrating to Australia and going back to their home countries. But, as per the transitional arrangements made to the immigration policies, Australia allows those foreign students who were in the nation prior to February 8, 2010, as well as possess a vocational/higher education/postgraduate Oz Student Visa to apply for Australian permanent residency, given their occupations are included on the Skilled Occupation List. Those who do not meet the criteria can apply for temporary skilled graduate visa once they have completed their studies. This type of visa enables former Australian students spend eighteen months in the land of Kangaroos, during which they can acquire work experience and look for employers who could sponsor them.