The Impressive Times
TIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
Indian students continue to explore global education opportunities, with the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union emerging as the most preferred destinations. A recent NITI Aayog report titled Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations highlights international student mobility trends and outlines strategies to make India a global education hub in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
The US remains the most popular destination for Indian students. Between 2012-13 and 2023-24, international student enrolment in the US grew by 37.5%, reaching over 11.26 lakh students, including 3,31,602 Indians, accounting for 29% of all international students. Indian students have overtaken China as the largest source of international students, especially in graduate and STEM programmes. States like California, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas attract the highest numbers due to strong research ecosystems and student support.
Although permanent residency options are limited, many Indians stay on via H-1B visas and professional pathways. However, the recent USD 100,000 fee for new H-1B applications could affect this trend in the future.
Canada has seen a 48.7% increase in international student enrolment since 2014, with around 4.85 lakh students in 2024. Indian students made up 42.9% of all international enrolments, receiving 2,33,272 study permits in 2023. Canada’s appeal lies in its strong post-study work and migration pathways, including the Post-Graduation Work Permit and the Student Direct Stream, along with initiatives like EduCanada and the Global Affairs Canada-SEED programme. International education contributes approximately CAD 30.9 billion to Canada’s GDP.
Australia has experienced a 50.9% rise in international students since 2014, hosting over 1.2 lakh Indian students as of September 2023. The country offers Temporary Graduate Visas, skilled migration pathways, and government-backed initiatives such as the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership. International education contributes around AUD 51 billion to the economy, making it Australia’s third-largest service export. Indians are also the top recipients of permanent residency under Australia’s migration programme.
The European Union is gaining popularity among Indian students seeking affordable, research-focused programmes. India ranks as the third-largest source country for international students in the EU, with Germany, Ireland, and Latvia hosting the largest numbers. EU initiatives like Europass, ECTS, Diploma Supplement, and EURAXESS make credit transfer, qualification recognition, and research mobility easier. Student-friendly visa policies and employment pathways, including the EU Blue Card, further enhance its attractiveness.
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