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Time of India
29-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Study Destinations Compared: Which Country Is Growing Fastest for Students?
Which countries are winning Indian student interest in 2025—and why? From shifting visa policies to student-friendly environments, this video dives deep into how destinations like the US, Canada, Ireland, and Australia stack up. While the US and Canada lead in volume, Ireland is gaining ground fast with welcoming policies and quality education. It's not just about popularity anymore—it's about capacity, policy, and opportunity. Watch for insights and real numbers as we deep dive with Mr. Piyush Kumar, Regional Director for South Asia, Canada and Latin America, IDP Education for the latest shift that is happening. #StudentMobility #EducationTrends2025 #StudyDestinations #IndianStudentsAbroad #HigherEdInsights Read More
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How New Zealand is attracting India's best minds with simplified immigration policies
From brain drain to brain gain: How New Zealand is selectively attracting India's best minds. (AI Image) New Zealand has introduced targeted immigration reforms aimed at fast-tracking students and skilled professionals from India, particularly those holding degrees from the country's premier institutions. These changes are part of a broader strategy to attract high-quality talent and capital, positioning New Zealand as a preferred destination for study, work, and residency post-pandemic. The new policies reflect an increasing recognition of the quality and credibility of Indian higher education, with Indian qualifications from top institutions now being formally accepted without lengthy assessments. This move streamlines visa pathways for many skilled migrants, creating a faster and more affordable immigration process. Recognition of Indian academic credentials India was recently added to New Zealand's List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) for Level 7 qualifications and above, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), and central universities on the NZQA approved list. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sore Knees? These Foods Could Be Your Natural Solution Undo The decision was formalised following Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to India in March, during which education was a key agenda item. Piyush Kumar, regional director for South Asia at IDP Education, stated that the inclusion of Indian qualifications 'reflects a growing recognition of the quality and credibility of Indian higher education,' as quoted by IDP Education. This exemption reduces the wait time for international qualification assessments, which previously took eight to twelve weeks and cost approximately NZD 746, thereby making the immigration pathway faster and more student-friendly, according to Mayank Maheshwari, co-founder of University Living. Expanded opportunities for Indian students and skilled migrants The policy changes also extend to visa pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List roles, Sector Agreement pathways, and the Accredited Employer Work Visa, providing greater employment advantages for Indian applicants. Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship, highlighted the introduction of a 12-month extended application window and a new Postgraduate Diploma plus Master's combination, which 'offers students time to find meaningful employment and addresses both emotional and practical friction points,' as reported by Global North Residency. Further financial flexibility is introduced with the increase in permitted part-time work hours for international students from 20 to 25 per week starting November. This adjustment is expected to enhance the affordability of living and studying in New Zealand. A growing interest from Indian students and investors According to a report by University Living, Indian student interest in New Zealand is projected to reach 24,594 by 2030. Organic enquiries from India surged by 40% in July compared with May, without paid campaigns or referrals, as reported by IDP. In addition to education reforms, New Zealand has revamped its investor visa programme under the Active Investor Plus (AIP) regime, simplifying requirements and removing barriers such as English language proficiency and upper age limits. The Growth category requires a NZD 5 million investment over three years with just 21 days of physical presence, while the Balanced route demands NZD 10 million over five years with 105 days of presence. Andri Boiko, founder of Garant In, noted that the range of acceptable investments now includes direct business investments, managed funds, bonds, and various property types. Investor interest has more than doubled since the introduction of these streamlined categories, with Immigration New Zealand receiving 236 applications representing 766 applicants as of July 20, marking a 105% increase compared with the previous regime. New Zealand's selective attraction of India's top talent and investors is a strategic move to bolster its economy and demographic profile following a GDP contraction, according to government priorities. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
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Business Standard
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
US delays F-1 visa over Reddit handle: What Indian applicants must know
An Indian F-1 visa applicant recently shared that their application was put on hold after they failed to list their Reddit handle on the DS-160 form, even though the account was public and contained no objectionable posts. Posting on a visa-related subreddit, the applicant said, 'I had my F-1 visa interview recently. During the interview, the visa officer raised a concern about my Reddit account, which I had not listed on my DS-160 form.' The user said the account was set to public and did not contain any inappropriate content. 'She mentioned that the account was not visible even though it was set to public, and at the end of the interview, she issued me a 221(g) slip requesting that I make all my social media handles public,' the post read. A 221(g) slip means the visa application is pending and not outright rejected. Applicants are required to submit additional documents or meet other requirements before a decision is made. However, the rule now is clear: The US government wants visa applicants to reveal their social media handles in their applications. Skip this, and your visa could be delayed or denied altogether. Since 2020, US visa applicants have had to disclose all usernames they have used in the past five years on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Reddit. These must be listed on the DS-160 form, and the US embassy now actively checks whether such accounts are publicly visible and accessible. In a recent advisory, the US Embassy in India posted on X, Social media details must be listed fully and truthfully, and any omission could result in a visa denial or future ineligibility." What Indian students must remember Experts say the visa process is now closely tied to what an applicant shares, not just in the interview but across digital platforms. 'A key reason behind the success of applicants is the authenticity of the application and the intent that they are able to communicate to the visa officers,' Piyush Kumar, regional director (South Asia, Canada and Latin America) at IDP Education told Business Standard. 'Consistency and transparency help establish credibility. Applicants must ensure that the visa application forms are filled out accurately and reflect the same information shared during the interview and on their social media platforms,' he added. What students should do: * Only list social media handles that belong to you and are active or traceable * Ensure accounts are publicly accessible with no hidden posts * Don't delete or alter social media accounts after submitting your DS-160 * Inactivity is acceptable, but visibility is key If issued a 221(g) slip * Read the officer's instructions carefully * Make the required social media accounts public or submit documents as requested * Respond promptly using the channel given—email, portal or direct submission Note that 221(g) is not a rejection; it indicates further administrative review All applicants for US immigrant and non-immigrant visas are required to submit their social media identifiers, except those applying under diplomatic or official categories such as A, C-2, C-3 (excluding personal staff), G-1 through G-4, and NATO visas. This means listing every username or handle used on specified platforms in the past five years. Even accounts that are no longer active or in regular use must be included, and if an applicant has had multiple accounts on the same platform, each one must be listed separately. The form does not ask for passwords—only the publicly visible identifiers. Applicants with no social media can truthfully mark 'None.' However, any false declaration, omission or inconsistency can be grounds for rejection. What is the US government doing with this data? The stated purpose is to verify applicant identity and assess eligibility. Officers use this information to spot red flags such as misrepresentation or association with groups or views seen as unlawful under US law. The checks come amid increased campus surveillance in the US, especially related to pro-Palestinian protests and growing opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. Student visa approvals slow in 2025 The F-1 visa season in 2025 has opened on a slower note. Between March and May, only 9,906 F-1 visas were issued to Indian students, compared to 13,478 during the same period in 2024 and 14,987 in 2023. This marks a 27 per cent year-on-year drop. The fall in numbers coincides with tighter scrutiny under the second Trump administration. Some Indian students have reported visa revocations, with alleged links to campus protests or interactions with police. Mary Gogoi, head of admissions at eduVelocity Global, told Business Standard, 'Trump administration imposed strict visa rules, proposed ending the OPT (Optional Practical Training) programme, and created a sense of uncertainty among international students.' She added, 'The fear of what might come has led to hesitation and delayed decision-making, particularly among middle-class applicants.'
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Business Standard
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
New Zealand: Indian students can work 25 hours/week under new visa rules
Indians studying in New Zealand or planning to head there soon have reason to be optimistic. On July 14, 2025, the New Zealand government unveiled its new International Education Going for Growth Plan, which will tweak immigration rules to attract more international students, while keeping academic quality and immigration compliance intact. As part of this plan, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will implement several visa-related changes from November 3, 2025. Students can work up to 25 hours a week Currently, international students can work up to 20 hours a week during term time. That cap will now increase to 25 hours for eligible tertiary and secondary school students. The new 25-hour limit will apply automatically to all new student visas granted from November 3, even if the application was submitted before the rule came into effect. But those holding existing student visas will need to either apply for a variation of conditions or a new visa to take advantage of the extra five hours. School students in Years 12 and 13 will still need written permission from both a parent and their school to work these hours. Notably, many student visas already allow full-time work during official breaks and holidays. If this applies, students can wait until after the summer break to apply for the extra in-study work hours—so long as their current visa remains valid. There are currently 40,987 student visa holders in New Zealand with in-study work rights: < 29,790 visas expire on or before March 31, 2026 < 11,197 visas expire after that Not everyone is expected to apply for the additional five hours. Some students may be close to completing their studies, while others may prefer to wait until their next visa renewal to add the change and avoid extra fees. Broader work rights for exchange and Study Abroad students From November, all tertiary-level students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes will also be eligible for in-study work rights. This includes even short-term enrolments such as one-semester courses. Until now, these rights were more limited and depended on specific course types or lengths. Change in institution or course level? Apply again INZ also clarified that students will now need to apply for a new visa, not just a variation of conditions, if they decide to change their education provider or lower the level of their study. This move brings greater regulatory certainty and ensures that visa conditions reflect a student's most current enrolment. Surge in Indian enrolments New Zealand has been gaining traction among Indian students over the past year. According to New Zealand Education, international student enrolments from India rose 34% in the January–August 2024 period, reaching 10,640. That's up from 7,930 in the entire 2023 calendar year. 'New Zealand is steadily gaining significance as a preferred alternate study destination over the 'Big Four' countries,' Piyush Kumar, regional director for South Asia, Canada and Latin America at IDP Education told Business Standard. He added, 'Our IDP data also reflects this, with the number of female student enrolments doubling over the same timeframe. This growth can be attributed to its student-first policies and supportive, holistic education system.' Kumar pointed out that the government's decision to exempt Indian degree holders from qualification assessment and simplify the skilled migration route had added to the country's appeal. Strong university rankings bolster appeal All eight of New Zealand's universities are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2026: University of Auckland (#65) University of Otago (#197) Massey University (#230) Victoria University of Wellington (#240) University of Canterbury (#261) University of Waikato (#281) Lincoln University (#407) Auckland University of Technology (AUT) (#410) 'With its welcoming and supportive policies, as well as clear pathways for studying and working, New Zealand is quickly becoming an attractive option. Moreover, all eight New Zealand universities rank amongst the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2026,' said Kumar.
Hans India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
CM wants state to be role model in GST collections
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday stressed that Andhra Pradesh should become a role model for the country in GST collections. He instructed officials to take strict measures to prevent tax evasion. A coordination meeting of Central and state GST officials was held at the Chief Minister's camp office, chaired by him. State finance special chief secretary Piyush Kumar, state taxes chief commissioner Babu A, and GST officials from both Centre and state attended the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stressed the use of technologies like data analytics to prevent tax evasion. He said that efficient tax collection would contribute to national wealth, which should be used for public welfare and development. Underlining the need for proper coordination between Central and state GST officials for the better realization of Goods & Services Tax (GST) in the state, the Chief Minister added that there should be a competitive action plan to match neighboring states in GST collections. He said tax data should be analysed using data analytics, and even factors like electricity consumption should be considered to detect evasion. The Chief Minister stressed that there should be no errors in GST registrations. The state government will soon build a data lake combining all departmental information in one place, which will also be shared with Central GST officials, he added. He explained that if the state receives its rightful share of resources, there will be no need to approach the Centre for every small issue. He directed officials to work with organisations like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to raise awareness and prevent tax evasion, and to act strictly if evasion continues. Officials informed the Chief Minister that GST collections in the state increased by 3.4 per cent. They said that the upcoming GST tribunals in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada will help resolve tax disputes. Central GST officials requested the Chief Minister to allot five acres of land in Amaravati for constructing the Central GST Zonal Office and residential quarters.
