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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
The stark reality of studying abroad in 2025: It's all about immigration power plays
For decades, countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have dominated international education. But in 2025, that dominance is facing a serious test — not from academic competitors, but from their own immigration policies. As visa requirements grow more complex, restrictive, and uncertain, many international students are rethinking where — and whether — to invest their futures. Across the globe, immigration policy has emerged as the most critical factor influencing where students choose to study. In earlier years, academic prestige or cultural familiarity might have guided those decisions. Today, it's about post-study work rights, long-term stability, and how welcoming a country feels — both on paper and in reality. International education is no longer just about where you want to go. It's about who wants you to stay. That single factor is reshaping the world map for students everywhere — and nations that recognise it will be the new education superpowers of the next decade. Here is how the 'big four' destinations of international education are shifting their reforms for students from around the world. The United States The United States' image as a top destination for international students is under growing threat, as sweeping immigration changes under President Trump's second term disrupt thousands of academic journeys. Harvard University has become a political target. The Trump administration threatened to revoke its right to host foreign students and freeze $2.3 billion in federal research funding. Harvard hit back with a lawsuit, securing a temporary restraining order — but tensions remain high. At the heart of the storm is the latest escalation in student visa scrutiny — including mandatory public access to applicants' social media profiles. Under new State Department guidelines, even a lack of online activity can be grounds for rejection, a move critics say sets a dangerous precedent for surveillance and profiling. The administration's AI-powered 'Catch and Revoke' program is already at work, monitoring students' digital lives and revoking over 1,000 visas with little warning. For many students, the U.S. dream is becoming a legal minefield. As fear and uncertainty rise, alternative destinations like Germany, Singapore, Ireland, New Zealand, and Hong Kong are gaining ground. United Kingdom The United Kingdom's recent immigration reforms under Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government are reshaping the landscape for international students, particularly those from India. As per the recent reforms introduced by Starmer, the government has decided to retain the Graduate Route visa, allowing international graduates to stay and work in the UK for two years post-study (three years for PhD holders). However, other policy changes have introduced new challenges. Key among these is the extension of the residency requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five to ten years, affecting the pathway to permanent settlement. Additionally, the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas has been raised from £26,200 to £38,700, potentially making it more difficult for recent graduates to qualify. The ban on bringing dependents for most international students, introduced in January 2024, remains in place, impacting students' family life and support systems. These changes have led to a significant drop in student visa applications, with a 16% decrease noted in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the previous year. Indian students, who constitute a substantial portion of the UK's international student population, are particularly affected. While the retention of the Graduate Route visa offers some relief, the cumulative effect of the new policies may prompt prospective students to consider alternative destinations with more favourable immigration pathways. Canada Canada, once a favoured destination for Indian students seeking higher education, is witnessing a shift in its immigration policies that could impact future applicants. In 2025, the Canadian government introduced stricter visa regulations, leading to a sharp decrease in study permits granted to Indian nationals compared to the previous year. This significant reduction has raised concerns among prospective students and their families about the country's evolving stance on international education. The tightening of visa rules is part of a broader strategy to manage the influx of international students and address domestic challenges such as housing shortages and pressure on public services. The new policies include a cap on study permits, stricter eligibility criteria, and increased scrutiny of applicants' financial backgrounds. These changes have prompted many Indian students to reconsider their plans to study in Canada, with some exploring alternative destinations that offer more favourable immigration policies and post-study work opportunities. As Canada recaliberates its approach to international education, the long-term implications for its global reputation as a welcoming study destination remain to be seen. Australia Australia's 2025 immigration reforms have significantly impacted Indian students planning to study there. The Australian government has introduced measures such as increased visa fees and stricter eligibility criteria to curb misuse of the student visa program. Earlier in April 2025, the Australian government announced the goal to curb at least 25% of permanent migration of students to free up nearly 40,000 homes for the residents of the country. These changes aim to protect the integrity of Australia's international education system, which has faced challenges due to the proliferation of "ghost colleges"—institutions that enrol students primarily for visa purposes without providing genuine education. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has acknowledged Australia's sovereign right to implement such policies but emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all applicants. As Australia tightens its immigration policies, Indian students are increasingly considering alternative destinations with more favourable visa regimes and post-study work opportunities. The long-term implications of these reforms on Australia's reputation as a welcoming destination for international students remain to be seen. The new study abroad map As traditional destinations harden their visa policies, new players are stepping forward with a different approach: Make it easier. Japan, for example, has declared a goal of attracting 400,000 international students by 2033 — nearly doubling its current number. To do this, it's introducing more English-medium courses, streamlining visa applications, and offering clearer paths to long-term residency. With a declining population and labor force, top universities including Kyoto University and University of Tokyo in Japan are looking at international students not just as guests, but as future citizens. Singapore, ever pragmatic, has relaxed permanent residency requirements for international graduates and is promoting itself as a global education and innovation hub. With English as an official language, high-quality universities, and a strong job market, it's becoming a serious contender for students who once wouldn't look beyond London or Boston. This shift in global study preferences isn't just about academics. Students are making decisions like policymakers: weighing risks, analysing immigration law, and calculating ROI on education not just by tuition cost, but by the chances of staying, working, and settling. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
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Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India-UK trade deal may cushion blow of UK visa curbs on students: Experts
On May 6, 2025, India and the United Kingdom concluded talks for a free trade agreement (FTA). Less than a week later, the newly elected Labour government under Keir Starmer released a white paper proposing sweeping immigration reforms. The timing has stirred discussion on what these parallel developments could mean for Indian students, who have been one of the largest international student groups in the UK. The country has long been seen as a top choice due to its post-study work opportunities, prestigious universities, and clear education-to-employment pathways. Can the FTA support Indian students in the UK? Aritra Ghoshal, founder and director at One Step Global, believes the FTA could help, but only if education is explicitly included. 'Such agreements often go beyond goods and services; they open the doors for mobility of talent and recognition of qualifications,' said Ghoshal. 'If education is treated as a service under the FTA, we may see smoother visa norms, better mutual understanding of degrees, and maybe even work-integrated pathways for Indian students.' Rahul Subramaniam, co-founder of Athena Education, said the FTA could make it easier for Indian graduates to work in the UK if it leads to mutual recognition of professional qualifications. 'It could lead to more exchange programmes, joint research projects, and potentially better visa arrangements,' he said. Christopher Abraham, head of SP Jain School of Global Management in Dubai, said the agreement might even encourage UK institutions to increase collaboration with Indian universities. 'It could also encourage fewer financial or regulatory constraints, enabling Indian students to access better quality education in the UK,' he added. But others are more cautious. Mamta Shekhawat, founder of pointed to the government's shift in tone on immigration. 'The white paper establishes whole new approaches to migration, be it for education, work, or family. The pathway to permanent residency for students will become longer and more competitive,' she said. Graduate route under review One of the most discussed proposals in the immigration white paper is a review of the Graduate Route, which allows international students to remain in the UK for work after finishing their studies. Key proposals include: Shortening the Graduate visa from 2 years to 18 months Limiting eligibility to graduates entering RQF level 6 and above jobs Reviewing the long-term future of the route altogether 'The shortening of the Graduate Route period, coupled with heightened employment criteria, may be detrimental to perceived return on investment,' said Abraham. New rules for sponsoring universities The white paper proposes stricter oversight of institutions hosting international students. Changes include: < Raising the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) threshold by 5 percentage points < Introducing a red-amber-green rating system to classify universities by compliance levels < Enforcing improvement plans and recruitment caps for poorly performing universities < Requiring institutions to sign up to the Agent Quality Framework if they use international agents Concerns have also been raised around asylum claims by international students nearing visa expiry, particularly from countries where conditions haven't changed. Students from lower-ranked institutions have shown the sharpest rise in visa grants, the white paper said. Financial and visa restrictions Among other proposals, a new levy on international student tuition fees is being considered, with proceeds going to the UK's higher education and skills system. The short-term English study visa is being reviewed due to a high refusal rate of 48% in 2024 Study visa grants peaked at 498,000 in the year ending June 2023, with student net migration at 262,000 in June 2024. Dependants of students rose sharply from 16,000 in 2019 to 143,000 in 2023, according to the white paper. Indian students reconsidering options 'The recent tightening of post-study visa norms and immigration scrutiny has understandably made some students cautious,' said Ghoshal. He added that while students haven't entirely turned away from the UK, many are comparing it more closely with countries like Australia and New Zealand, where the path to work or residency may seem more predictable. 'It's not about the UK becoming 'less attractive', but about students wanting greater clarity and assurance before making such a big decision,' he said. Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, said the white paper proposals were expected and reflect a balance between different interests. 'From an India lens, with the UK-India FTA in the backdrop, we're likely to see prioritisation of talent in sectors like healthcare, technology, environment, culinary arts, and retail,' he said. 'I wouldn't read too much into the 24 to 18-month change on the Graduate Route.' He also noted that the new English requirements were long due and welcomed stronger compliance through frameworks like the Agent Quality Framework. 'At least in India, we saw the British Council, BUILA and others drive this for a while now,' he said. FTA could soften impact of immigration clampdown Experts said the FTA could become a counterbalance to the tightening immigration rules, depending on how it is framed. 'If strategically leveraged, the UK-India FTA could restore confidence by promoting greater institutional collaboration, clearer qualification recognition, and smoother pathways for professional integration,' said Subramaniam. Abraham agreed. 'Balanced policies that align immigration with talent branding will enable the UK to remain competitive,' he said. Ghoshal added that a dedicated India-UK talent corridor, focused on education, tech, or research, could help regain lost ground—'but it needs to be more than lip service,' he said.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Studying in UK just got more expensive for international students
The UK government has introduced stricter immigration policies that will directly impact international students and universities. These changes are part of a broader effort to reduce annual net migration by 100,000, as per the white paper released by the Home Office. A significant measure is the introduction of a 6% levy on tuition fees paid by international students. According to the estimates from Universities UK, universities will be required to pay this levy to the government, potentially raising an estimated £600 million per year. The levy is intended to shift financial responsibility for migration away from the taxpayer and towards the institutions that benefit economically from international enrolments. The settlement eligibility timeline will also be extended. Currently, foreign nationals can apply for permanent settlement in the UK after five years. Under the new policy, the minimum residency requirement will double to ten years. According to a report by The Times, this move will affect around 1.5 million people and is intended to reduce the number of migrants permanently settling in the UK. Another major change includes the reduction of the Graduate Route visa duration from two years to 18 months. This visa allows international students to remain in the UK after completing their studies to find graduate-level work. Under the new rule, if graduates do not secure suitable employment within this shortened period, they will be required to leave the country. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Universities across the UK have raised concerns that these changes could hurt their competitiveness. Many institutions rely on revenue from overseas students to fund operations and research, especially as domestic funding remains limited. The changes are expected to force universities to re-evaluate recruitment strategies and financial planning. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ Indian Nationals received highest share of UK work visas in 2024, second in study visas Indian students union in the UK sigh over retention of graduate route amidst immigration reforms « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT The government, however, maintains that the changes are necessary. Ministers argue that the Graduate Route has been used by students from lower-ranked institutions to remain in the UK without contributing significantly to the economy. The Home Office is expected to publish data this summer detailing which universities send the most students through the Graduate Route. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has supported the approach, saying it is time for a 'more controlled and focused' immigration system that serves both the UK's economy and public interest.
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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
UK's new visa rules hit Indian students and workers hardest: Explained
The United Kingdom's new Immigration White Paper, released on May 12, 2025, introduces a stricter framework across work, study and settlement routes, likely to affect Indian nationals, who make up a large portion of international students and skilled visa applicants. Longer path to settlement and higher English requirements The new rules will double the standard qualifying period for settlement from five to ten years. English language requirements will now apply to more applicants, including dependants, and improvement in language ability will be monitored throughout the visa duration. 'Skill requirements raised to degree level; English language requirements across all routes – including for dependents; the time it takes to acquire settled status extended from five years to 10; and enforcement tougher than ever because fair rules must be followed,' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking from Downing Street. The Graduate Route visa, which currently allows students to remain in the UK for two years after completing their degree, will now be limited to 18 months. 'While we are relieved that the Graduate Route has been preserved, albeit with a reduced duration, we urge that its implementation, and that of the wider reforms, be approached with care, clarity, and collaboration,' said Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, speaking to PTI. Earlier in the day, Arora wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'I understand that the Graduate route will be reduced from 24 months to 18 months after completion of studies. It is not yet clear how this impacts existing students and incoming ones for the September 2025 intake.' NISAU called for immediate clarification to avoid confusion among international students, especially those from India who form the largest user group of the Graduate Route. 'Panic must not be allowed to set in among current and prospective students. Immediate clarity is needed on who is affected and how,' NISAU said. Skilled worker routes to become more selective The reforms are also expected to tighten the skilled worker visa category, introducing tougher minimum salary requirements and further scrutiny. 'The White Paper establishes whole new approaches to migration, be it for education, work, or family,' Mamta Shekhawat, founder of told Business Standard. 'The pathway to permanent residency for students will become longer and more competitive, making it harder for graduates to remain in the UK unless they demonstrate exceptional value to the economy or society.' Shekhawat added that with these changes, it has become even more important for students to focus on test preparation and academic performance. 'We encourage students to stay informed, focus on academic excellence, and develop skills that align with the UK's evolving priorities for international talent,' she said. The Ministry of Education told the Rajya Sabha in November 2024 that 136,921 Indian students were studying in the United Kingdom. In the 2022–23 academic year, Indian student enrolment rose by 39% to 173,190, making India the top source of non-European Union students in the UK—overtaking China for the first time since 2018. Care visa route to close One of the most controversial changes involves the closure of the Health and Social Care Worker visa route to new applicants. In 2023, nearly 1,40,000 health and care visas were issued, with Indian nationals receiving about 39,000 of them. 'The closure of the Health and Care Worker visa to new applicants has been framed as a response to growing exploitation, but with the numbers of visas granted to first time entrants already dwindling, it is but a distraction,' said Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the UK's Work Rights Centre, in comments to PTI. She said the scheme's failure had left thousands of migrant care workers in precarious conditions. 'Because of this failed visa scheme, thousands of migrant care workers already in the UK are facing destitution, and the government is yet to offer them any workable support. What they need is not more hostility and victim-blaming, but the flexibility to take their skills to the businesses that need and value them,' she said. Vicol also criticised the extended settlement period as arbitrary and warned it could increase the number of undocumented migrants in the UK. 'More people will be put at risk of falling into insecure immigration status, putting them at greater risk of exploitation, and potentially even increasing the number of people with undocumented status,' she added. With PTI inputs
Arab News
04-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Too many blame those with the quietest voices
There was a post on X last month that quoted an elderly British couple as supposedly saying they were leaving England 'due to the amount of foreigners.' The account telling the story, Lord Miles Official, went on to say: 'They told me they sold their property portfolio because foreigners kept not paying rent. They both had branded aluminum hand luggage worth $3k. Millionaires leaving the UK.' Campaigner Brendan Cox responded with the question: 'Leaving England because of the number of foreigners … to find a country with er … less foreigners?!' There is not much else that really needs to be said about the absurd remarks of this couple or the Lord Miles Official account. But the level of misinformation being spouted by people like this seems to be getting worse. I mentioned some figures in a previous op-ed I wrote that showed that, of the migrants coming into the UK, most were students on academic visas or health professionals on employment visas. The problem is that, rather than educating the electorate, politicians are simply pandering to certain misinformed views that are largely centered on hate. A quick search on ChatGPT, which sourced His Majesty's Government, The Independent, the Migration Observatory, The Times and the Evening Standard, found the following: 'In the year ending December 2023, net migration to the UK was estimated at 685,000, a 10 percent decrease from the revised figure of 764,000 for the previous year. This suggests a potential downward trend, though it is too early to confirm.' Politicians do not seem to be talking about the overseas students who pay inflated tuition fees or the health professionals who move to the UK to help with the shortage of qualified British doctors and nurses. Nor do they mention that the introduction of the Graduate Route visa is projected to yield a net fiscal benefit of £8.1 billion ($10.6 billion) over 10 years, as per a Migration Observatory analysis of Home Office figures. And contrary to the views of some, while domestic students in the UK pay approximately £9,500 to £10,000 per year for an undergraduate course, overseas students pay double that. Rather than educating the electorate, politicians are simply pandering to certain misinformed views that are largely centered on hate Peter Harrison I recently had a conversation with a fellow compatriot who told me, when I mentioned Brexit and the damage it had done and was still doing to the British economy, that I should get past this and move on. But the cost to the country's economy resulting from leaving the EU is climbing. Bloomberg columnist Matthew A. Winkler wrote last year: 'Parting ways with the EU … has been disastrous for the UK.' The same publication reported in 2023 that Brexit was costing the British economy £100 billion every year through lost investment and labor shortages, among other factors. Before Brexit, people from the European mainland would travel to the UK for seasonal work picking fruit and vegetables. Freedom of movement enabled them to do this and the farmers welcomed them with open arms. It was a workforce of willing and able people who turned up, did the work and then left. Some may have stayed, but most went back home to their families. So, are politicians admitting this was a mistake and looking to repair the damage? Apparently not, as many are sticking to the hate-fueled anti-migrant message, because hate is easier to peddle. Another group of people seemingly targeted by the politicians are those in receipt of benefits. Last month, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones used the example of pocket money when talking about benefits cuts for disabled people. The government's own analysis suggested that more than 3 million families would be an average of £1,720 a year worse off by 2030 due to its welfare cuts. But the minister said this analysis did not take into account 'extra cash for training,' adding that it was like his children getting a Saturday job on top of their pocket money. He later apologized after his comments were branded 'offensive' and 'patronizing,' admitting they were 'tactless.' But would he have apologized had the criticism not been so fast? The truth is that there are people perfectly capable of working in the UK who do not because they say they would be worse off than if they remained on benefits. But they are a tiny minority. Of course, it is much easier to blame others, especially those with a different mindset, set of beliefs or skin color Peter Harrison According to the Office of National Statistics, in the final quarter of 2024, 4.4 percent of people in the UK of working age were unemployed — that is 1.6 million people. But fewer than 20,000 of them were simply 'discouraged' or unwilling to work. Something needs to be done about those people, but they are not the drain on resources the government seems to want us to believe. The intriguing thing is that, despite all this information being freely available, people around the world are still being driven by hate. And of course, it is much easier to blame others, especially those with a different mindset, set of beliefs or skin color. I remember a conversation I had about 20 years ago, in which I said Western politics had hit a wall and that ultimately the voting public would tire of the cyclical nature of one group of well-intended politicians in gray suits taking over from another. I argued that people would start to recognize that little was changing, irrespective of who was in power. British politics will continue in this loop until major wholesale changes take place. I suspect this will be through a change in the voting system that could ultimately force political parties to work together. But until this happens, politicians will probably continue blaming those with the least amount of power, whether that is single parents, unemployed disabled people or those driven away from their home countries by abject poverty or war. Little in British society will change, but many will continue to blame those with the quietest voices. • Peter Harrison is a senior editor at Arab News in the Dubai office. He has covered the Middle East for more than a decade. X: @PhotoPJHarrison
