According to figures provided to SBS Urdu by the Department of Home Affairs, more than 13,000 visas were cancelled in 2020-21, down from more than 20,000 in 2019-20.
The figures for 2019-20 were the highest recorded for almost a decade.
The Department told SBS Urdu that, among other reasons, a visa may be cancelled as a result of a non-citizen providing incorrect information in order to enter Australia, failing to abide by visa conditions, presenting a significant risk to the community or engaging in criminal conduct
SBS Urdu was approached by a number of students who have had their visas cancelled because they were adjudged to have provided fraudulent financial documents.
One student named Ali* messaged SBS Urdu and claimed to have had his visa cancelled for providing a 'bogus' bank statement from Invest Capital Investment Bank.
Mr Ali said he is just one of 50 students in a Whatsapp group who claim to have had their visa cancelled for similar reasons.
Highlights:
- Over 35,000 student visas were cancelled in the past two years, with 20,000 in 2019-20 alone.
- Student visas can be cancelled due to breach of conditions.
- Cancellation of Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and fraudulent documents are among main causes of visa cancellation.
Mr Ali claimed he and the other students had been studying online for the last two years before their visas were cancelled without notice.
Another student, Asad*, told a similar story to SBS Urdu, claiming via email that his visa was cancelled due to a 'bogus' bank statement from a financial institution.
Wasil Azad, a student consultant with IEIS Education Group Ltd, said the Department has the right to cancel a person's visa if they are found in breach of any of the visa conditions.
This can be anything that fails to prove a person is of good character, he said, including providing fraudulent or forged documents. 
Mr Azad explained that the Department can cancel a visa at any stage if they find any wrongdoing.
More than 20,000 student visas were cancelled in 2019-20 alone, the highest number recorded in the last nine years. Source: Department of Home Affairs
He said that the huge number of student visas cancelled in the last two years is mainly due to the cancellation of Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and fraudulent financial documents.
Once your COE is cancelled then you have 28 days to get a new one, he said, otherwise your visa will be cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs.
Talking about financial statements, Mr Azad said he believes the Department of Home Affairs investigated the cases and concluded that the financial institutions referenced are ingenuine.
Visas are refused on the basis of providing 'bogus' financial documents. Source: Supplied
Mr Azad said when he approached the Department, he was told their investigations found common issues like no bank offices located at the listed address, incorrect phone number, and statements issued by only one person.
In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs said it does not comment on individual cases due to privacy.
It further stated, "The Australian Government takes seriously its responsibility to protect the Australian community from the risk of harm posed by non-citizens who engage in criminal conduct or other behaviours of concern. All non-citizens who wish to enter or remain in Australia must satisfy the requirements of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) and Migration Regulations 1994."
The spokesperson said all cancelled visas can be appealed and non-citizens whose visas are cancelled without notice under section 128 of the Act while they are outside Australia may make representations to the Minister, requesting revocation of the visa cancellation decision within the prescribed timeframes.
*Pseudonyms are used in this story due to privacy reasons.
(Disclaimer: The views in this article are only presented for general guidance and cannot be taken as immigration advice)
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