Visa challenges spark a quest for new study destinations among Indian students.

 Visa challenges spark a quest for new study destinations among Indian students.

Visa hurdles are leading Indian students to discover a wider array of study destinations, moving beyond the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.

Traditional study abroad destinations are no longer providing easy access to international students due to recent policy changes. As a result, it is becoming inevitable that Indian students will start seeking alternative destinations with less stringent visa rules and more accommodating regulations. Increasing intolerance in top countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia has led to tougher rules for international students.

Additionally, there is a growing sentiment amongst natives to prioritise local residents over allowing people from other countries to secure jobs and settle down.

The major study abroad destinations are facing a crunch in international student arrivals due to several factors. First, stringent visa policies have become a significant barrier, with countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia implementing more rigorous requirements and higher application fees. The growing nationalist sentiments in some countries have led to policies that can favour only local residents over international students, impacting enrolment numbers of students.

In the last five years, the UK has seen an exponential increase in the number of international students, leading to many institutions and corporations being populated by international alumni. This surge has created unrest amongst the local population, resulting in changes to immigration policy. In March 2024, the UK experienced a decrease in visa grants for primary applicants for the first time in five years, with a 6.2 percent reduction. Restrictions introduced in January 2024 have also removed the allowance for dependents of international students.

Many universities have opposed these government measures, arguing that relaxing the restrictions could help maintain their economic stability and ensure adequate funding for their operations.

Canada has become a favoured destination for international students in recent years due to its ease of visa policies and attractive opportunities. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns began to rise, leading to the imposition of new visa rules. Recently, Canada updated its programme for international students to include a temporary two-year cap on study permits for new arrivals, excluding master’s, PhD, and K-12 students, as well as current permit holders.

The financial requirement for obtaining a study permit has increased to C$20,635, reflecting the rise in the cost of living in Canada. Starting May 15, 2024, new students will no longer be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at public-private partnership institutions.

These policy changes have affected the processing of study permits. Between January and April 2024, the IRCC approved over 76,000 out of 152,000 post-secondary study permit applications, resulting in a 50 percent approval rate lower than in previous years. Additionally, there has been a delay in processing times compared to previous years.

Despite these variations, job vacancies in Canada remain high, with healthcare leading the way and experiencing a 78 percent increase since 2019. Reports indicate that the Canadian labour market is expected to grow by 15 percent between 2021 and 2031, with particularly high demand in the healthcare, professional services, and management sectors.

The surge in applications is largely driven by job vacancies in healthcare programs such as caregiving, nursing, and early childhood education.

Another country on the list is Australia, which unveiled its migration strategy in March 2024, focusing on genuine student requirements. The main objective behind this initiative is to restrict the number of international students in the country, following record inflows in 2022-23.

Recent policy updates include new visa requirements, a list of accepted English-language tests, and a proposed soft cap on international student numbers. Additionally, as of July 1, the international student visa fee has increased from A$710 to A$1,600, making it more expensive compared to fees in other countries.

The recent policy changes in these countries come amidst a backdrop of regulated international policies. These steps, initiated by respective governments, aim to manage the international student influx. In Canada and Australia, the new policies are also intended to address issues with dishonest institutions and agents, and to improve compliance across the international education sector. As a result, there has been a decline in student enrolment in these countries, with a greater emphasis on specialised, employment-linked courses and a shift of students towards alternative study abroad destinations.

Asian and European countries are becoming increasingly popular amongst international students. According to ApplyBoard’s latest recruitment partner Pulse Survey, Germany is gaining attraction, with 50 percent of respondents identifying it as an appealing destination. Ireland is also experiencing significant growth, with international enrolment reaching a new peak in 2022-23, marking a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

A substantial portion of respondents, nearly 40 percent, are favouring destinations beyond traditional choices. The Netherlands, Singapore, and Malaysia are heavily investing in their education sectors to attract international students, offering English-taught programs and partnering with globally renowned universities to provide better opportunities.

Japan is one other country that has the calibre to attract international students. Recently, the Ambassador of Japan to India highlighted the importance of India to Japan, where he was seen urging Indians to go to Japan to study abroad.

“I have a message for the people of India, particularly the youth. Consider studying and working in Japan; obtaining a visa is straightforward for students – simply present your student ID. I urge young Indians to explore Japan for skill development and job opportunities,” he stated in an interview.

This trend highlights the growing influence of countries that have not traditionally been prominent in Anglophone markets.

Courtesy: India Today

Note: This news was originally published in indiatoday.in and was used completely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes especially for human rights.