The landscape of international education is undergoing a significant transformation as Australia and Canada tighten their visa regulations, prompting a notable shift in migration preferences among Indian students. Australia’s recent decision to reduce its intake of international students to 270,000 for 2025, a substantial decrease from 510,000 in 2022, has made it increasingly challenging for students from Punjab to secure visas for overseas education.
Canada, following suit, has implemented similar restrictions by capping student visas and raising the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) requirement to $20,000. These stringent measures have contributed to a 60% decline in migration requests from Punjab, traditionally a region with a high demand for international education opportunities.
Bikram Chabal, president of the Association of Visa and IELTS Centres in Amritsar, highlighted the growing difficulties faced by Indian students. “While Canada still offers relatively easier migration pathways for skilled professions like nursing and childcare, the recent restrictions on study programmes, especially for college diplomas and undergraduate degrees at private institutions, have significantly hindered Indian students’ ability to pursue education abroad,” Chabal explained. Additionally, the UK’s rising unemployment rates, high cost of living, and increasing anti-immigrant sentiment have further diminished its appeal as a destination for Indian scholars.
As a result of these challenges, Europe has become an attractive alternative. Germany, in particular, has gained popularity among students pursuing STEM (science, mathematics, engineering, technology) disciplines. The country’s research-based programmes, fee waivers, and offerings in English have made it a top choice. Eastern European nations such as Latvia, Ireland, and Finland are also gaining traction, especially among those seeking unskilled work permits.
Rajwinder Pal Singh, an immigration expert with 15 years of experience, noted the dramatic shift in student preferences. “Canada once witnessed up to 900,000 student visa applications annually from India. However, applications have plummeted by 55%, with Germany now emerging as the preferred destination for STEM students and Eastern Europe attracting those seeking unskilled visas,” Singh stated. Currently, approximately 44,000 Indian students are enrolled in German institutions, a number expected to rise in the 2024-25 academic year.
Economic considerations also play a crucial role in this migration trend. Anurag Manakikar, Associate Director at Henley and Partners Immigration Services, pointed out the high cost of living and tuition fees in the United States as significant barriers to mass migration. In contrast, European countries like the Netherlands offer student-friendly policies, including rental allowances and scholarships, making them increasingly attractive for students pursuing management and finance programmes. However, he cautioned that most European countries still maintain a limited annual intake of around 6,000–7,000 international students.
Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) underscores the impact of these restrictive policies. In the first quarter of 2024, only 33,000 study permits were processed compared to 70,000 in the same period the previous year. Of these, roughly 4,000 permits were granted to Indian students, with the overall approval rate dropping to 50%, eight percentage points lower than the 2023 average.
As the global education landscape continues to evolve, Indian students from Punjab are navigating a more competitive and constrained environment. With Europe stepping into the spotlight, the future of international education for these students is being reshaped by shifting policies and emerging opportunities across the continent.
