Studying abroad: Benefits and complexities for the Indian students

Rise in the number of Indian students studying abroad.

For a long time, studying abroad was considered a cherished dream for the numerous Indian students to unlock the path of a bright future in their careers. However, this no longer remains a dream but it is the reality in the current times. According to the data published by the Ministry of External Affairs, around 13 lakh Indian students will be part of the study abroad programs in 2022.

For studying abroad, The USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia are some of the top global destinations where countless students from India are pursuing their careers rather than in their home country. As of 2022, around 4,65,791 Indian students are studying in the USA, 1,83,310 in Canada, 1,64,000 in the United Arab Emirates, 1,00,009  in Australia and 55,465 in the UK. Around 750 thousand Indian students are found to be emigrated abroad in 2022 while the number was approximately 444 thousand in 2021.

However, a number of Indian students who have the aspiration to study abroad are experiencing multifaceted issues due to the rising inspection for foreign students and the enforcement of stricter immigration policies by some countries. Moreover, there is an increasing mismatch between the data relating to the number of Indian students studying abroad and the number of overseas students coming to India for higher studies. It has been observed that there were only 40431 foreigners who came to India in 2023 for the purpose of higher education.

Factors which are driving the trend of studying abroad

Accessibility to quality education

One of the key factors which influence Indian students studying abroad for higher education is the desire to get the accessibility of world class education. Several foreign universities are highly recognised for obtaining academic excellence as well as offering a diverse range of degrees along with various specialisations, emphasising the inclusion of both traditional subjects and emerging fields.

Increased career prospects

Studying abroad has the potential to considerably increase the career prospects and opportunities of an individual. The global exposure allows the students to get major competitive advantages in the current ever evolving international job market as the recruiters are most likely to show attention towards the applicants who have access to diverse perspectives and experiences. Therefore, while studying abroad, Indian students are able to easily connect with multinational companies and get better job opportunities in terms of compensation as well as future career growth.

Cultural diversity

Studying abroad permits Indian students to witness different cultures, which strengthens their competencies beyond academics. It provides an opportunity for Indian students to communicate with diverse people from different cultures, races, regions, ethnicities and backgrounds and gain comprehensive knowledge of new languages and intercultural skills, which overall ultimately leads to a positive contribution towards personal growth.

Enhanced research opportunities

Many foreign universities are found to be providing exceptional research opportunities and amenities for students seeking to pursue careers in research-oriented fields. While studying abroad, students get access to the latest technology and innovative tools, which provides a significant competitive edge to them during the time of further research. 

Scholarships availability

Several foreign universities offer a wide range of financial aid options and scholarships, which allows them to cover a significant portion of the tuition fees. Among the several scholarship options, some of the quite popular ones involve Need-Based Scholarships, Merit-Based Scholarships, Government Scholarships and Subject-Specific Scholarships and many more. This enables Indian students to make a balance between the obtaining of global exposure and high educational costs. 

Complications related to studying abroad in the evolving landscape of Visa Policies 

A major shift has been observed in recent years in the visa policies of the number of popular countries where Indian students are most likely to go for further education. The changes in the visa regulations have a significant impact on the Indian students who are planning to study abroad. Due to the modification in the visa norms, the students are now required to have higher educational qualifications and financial considerations as well as to perform additional academic verification or documentation procedures for studying abroad. The changes include: 

United States of America

As per the declaration of the US embassy, all the applicants of F, M, and J student visas must produce their own passport insights during the time of making a profile and making the schedule of visa appointments. Additionally, F and M visa applicants must have the enrolment in a school or program as instructed by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

F visa refers to the non-immigrant visa by which global students become capable of full-time study in the United States, while M visa is for those students who want to pursue a career in vocational studies in the US. Students also require sponsorship from an organisation approved by the US State Department for the application of a J Visa, which allows individuals to participate in the exchange visitor programs in the US. 

Canada

The government of Canada is found to be setting a cap for the number of student visas, which is 360000 in 2024, which is around 35 per cent less in comparison to the previous year. Regarding this, it is reported that international students are regarded as one of the critical parts of the social, economic and cultural landscape of Canada who help to enrich their communities.

However, this restriction is put by the government of Canada by considering the rising pressure on healthcare facilities, housing and other services due to the increasing number of international students. Additionally, an open work permit is given only to the spouses of international students who are enrolled on the doctoral or master’s programme. Each permit application of the students is also required to produce an attestation letter from a Canadian province or territory, which will ensure the capacity for the accommodation of the applicant. 

United Kingdom

The fees for the UK visa have been increased from 363 pounds to 490 pounds which is an increase of around 35 per cent. The Immigration Health Surcharge is also revised to 1035 pounds from 675 pounds. Furthermore, while pursuing studies in the UK, a restriction has been imposed on international students from 2024 pertaining to the bringing of dependent family members with them. 

Australia

In the case of Australia, among the recent changes is the requirement for higher English proficiency test scores. The student visa score has been increased from IELTS (or equivalent) 5.5 to 6.0 while for the temporary graduate visa score, it has been increased to IELTS 6.5 from 6.0. In the replacement of the Genuine Student Test, the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement comes.

In order to fulfil the requirements of a student visa, the applicants must ensure that they have sufficient savings to carry out the expenditures and costs related to their course including course fees, travel and rent. There must be evidence of at least 29,710 dollars by the applicants to be eligible for the international student visa in Australia.

Potential ways to deal with the complexities

In order to adapt to the modified visa requirements, Indian students need to be involved in careful planning as well as efficient measurements for smoothly getting admission into international universities. They need to gather regular updates on the visa policies and seek support from valuable networks to navigate the changing landscape of study visas to make the aspiration of studying abroad true. Through engagement with recognised educational consultants known for dealing with international student visa applications, students can obtain valuable insights on the right procedure to apply for a visa for their chosen destination.

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