Changing Visa Rules Expects Surge in Study Abroad for Aspiring Indian Students

According to the latest SEVIS data, over 350,000 Indian students are currently studying in the United States, making them the largest group of international students in the country, constituting nearly 30% of the total. Most Indian students enroll in graduate and postgraduate programs in fields like science, mathematics, engineering, and management. The U.S. higher education system, with its vibrant ecosystem of over 4,000 institutions, offers international students the opportunity to work for up to three years post-graduation through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which is particularly popular among Indian students for providing work experience in a global environment. The U.S. consular team in India is working to reduce student visa wait times and anticipates a rise in applications for 2024, following a record issuance of over 130,000 student visas in 2023. Additionally, India surpassed the U.S. in the number of GRE test-takers for the first time in 2023, highlighting the ongoing interest in U.S. higher education.

In the United Kingdom, new restrictions on student visa conditions will take effect in January 2024, disallowing dependent visas for most international students except for PhD and postgraduate research students. However, the Graduate Route remains intact, allowing graduates to work in the UK for two years post-study, with PhD students eligible for up to three years. The UK Government is also introducing stricter compliance standards for education institutions and their recruitment agents to curb poor practices. Meanwhile, Canada plans to cap international student permit applications for 2024, reducing the number of approved permits by 35% from 2023 and is implementing stricter requirements for undergraduate applicants. Australia is also tightening policies, including mandatory Genuine Student requirements and increased mandated savings for living expenses. However, the resumption of TOEFL score acceptance for visa purposes in Australia is a positive development for international students. Despite the evolving regulations, the focus on skilled migrants remains strong across major destination countries, emphasizing the importance of in-demand skills and strong test scores like the GRE and TOEFL for securing scholarships and university admissions.