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
.jpg)
