Visa Rule Changes Reshape Students’ Edu Plans Abroad

Visa Rule Changes Reshape Students’ Edu Plans Abroad

LOOKING@ 2024 to DECODE 2025  TIMES OF INDIA HYDERABAD 28.12.2024

Students, especially from the two Telugu states, are looking at global destinations other than US & Canada for higher education following crucial regulatory developments in 2024 We look at how changes in visa rules will affect students heading abroad 

Amisha.Rajani@timesofindia.com 

The global education landscape has undergone seismic shifts in 2024 as leading destinations for international students — namely the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia — grapple with evolving visa regulations. Last year, nearly 10.3 lakh Indian students ventured abroad for higher education, with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh contributing a significant share of approximately 1.5 lakh students. While experts had anticipated a rise in these numbers for 2024, abrupt changes in visa policies have prompted many students to reassess their plans for studying overseas, and the effect will be seen in 2025.

Canada’s Stricter Policies Canada, one of the most sought after destinations for Indian students, has introduced a cap on international student intake, limiting it to 35% of total admissions, with an additional 10% reduction planned for 2025. The financial documentation requirement for living expenses has also been significantly increased from $10,000 to $20,635 (approximately ₹6.1 lakh to ₹12.6 lakh). “Additionally, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has delisted several colleges and universities from its Designated Learning Institution (DLI) roster,” said Chirandeep Patnaik, from Lemma One, a registered Consultancy in the city. “These institutions were reportedly admitting students with below-average profiles, prompting concerns over the  quality of education and employability. With these changes and reduced job opportunities and political issues, we expect a significant drop in enrolment for Canada next year by as much as 30% at least. We already are seeing a drop from the last two months.” 

The US: A Mixed Picture The US, traditionally the top choice for Indian students, has not introduced any major visa policy changes recently. However, modifications to the H-1B visa process — such as increased scrutiny and a shift to a wage-based selection system — have created uncertainty. These changes particularly impact Indian students, who form a large share of H-1B applicants. “While students still prefer the US for STEM courses, many are anxious about job prospects post-graduation due to increased competition for H-1B visas,” explained Vandana Mahajan, founder and director of Futures Abroad, a registered consultancy in the city. However, even experts are unsure of the 2025 outlook once presidentdesignate Donald Trump swears in. “Even as Trump won with a majority, there is already a reduction in demand for the US for the upcoming May Intake,” said Arvind Manduva, from a registered consultancy in the city. 

UK and Australia Gearing Up In contrast, the UK and Australia are poised to benefit from these shifts in 2025, despite implementing their own caps and policy revisions, predict experts. Australia, for instance, has limited its international student intake to 2.7 lakh, while the UK is contemplating a similar cap. “However, both nations are expected to attract more Indian students next year due to strained India-Canada relations and better post-study work opportunities. 

With a high rejection rate in Australia and fewer university seats in the UK, these countries are seeing a temporary dip in applications. But given their stable job markets and attractive post-study options, the trend could reverse in the coming year,” Manduva added. Europe’s Rising Appeal Amid geopolitical tensions, visa delays, and housing shortages in traditional destinations, Europe is emerging as a preferred choice for Indian students, share experts. “Countries such as Ireland, Finland, France, and Germany are gaining popularity due to streamlined visa processes, growing international student support, and favourable post-study work opportunities,” said Aritra Ghosal, founder and director of OneStep Global, an educational consultancy. Abhijit Zaveri, founder and director of Career Mosaic, a consultancy, which has partnership with over 900 universities across the world, shared, Germany and France, in particular, are leading the way in offering opportunities in fields such as engineering and technology, while countries like Georgia and the Czech Republic are attracting medical students.

“Canada’s loss is Europe’s gain as policy shifts and increased competition push students to explore alternatives,” Zaveri added. Experts also highlighted that European institutions offer affordable education in fields beyond STEM, such as arts, humanities, and education, making them increasingly attractive. Focus on Skills Over Degrees Given the fluctuating visa policies and limited job prospects, universities worldwide have observed a rise in students prioritising skill-building through certifications alongside their degrees, which will help them in gaining employability anywhere around the world. 

They expect this trend to take over in 2025. “Short-term courses such as Generative AI for Marketers and Machine Learning with Python are becoming popular, as global companies increasingly value skills over traditional qualifications,” noted K Agarwal, dean at the University of California Santa Cruz Silicon Valley. “This trend is expected to grow in 2025, particularly as industries evolve with advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and sustainable technologies,” he added