An Indian tech graduate from the University of Galway has advised Indian students to reconsider studying in Ireland, highlighting what he described as worsening job prospects and visa challenges for non-EU
graduates.
In a detailed post on Reddit titled “The reality of Indians in Ireland”, the graduate, who completed a Master’s degree in Computer Science in 2025, shared his experience of professional and financial struggles faced by international students.
The reality of Indians in Ireland: Do not move here with a student loan
byu/giles676 inIndians_StudyAbroad
According to the post, only 15 students out of a batch of around 130 were able to secure jobs in the tech sector after graduation. Most others were forced to take up non-tech roles in supermarkets, bars and restaurants to sustain themselves.
The graduate said hiring conditions have become more difficult for non-EU candidates following the Irish government’s decision to raise the minimum salary threshold required for work visa sponsorship. As a result, employers are increasingly reluctant to recruit international graduates. He claimed that even those who managed to secure tech roles did so without employer-sponsored visas.
“To my knowledge, none of the 15 graduates who found tech jobs have visa sponsorship either,” he wrote, adding that more than 500 graduates from the same programme across previous years had already been forced to return to India after their visas expired. Many, he said, continue to struggle with unpaid education loans.
He further warned prospective students against moving abroad on student loans, saying the risk of default is high and could jeopardise the financial security of parents who often act as co-sponsors. “Realistically, over 95% of non-EU graduates are forced to leave Ireland within three years. Please think very carefully before making this decision. Stay in India,” he wrote.
Other users echoed the concerns, pointing to broader structural issues. Some highlighted Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis and its heavy economic reliance on foreign multinational companies, while others stressed the country’s small job market.
One commenter noted that Ireland’s population of about 5.5 million makes it difficult to absorb large numbers of international graduates, while another said employers prefer local hires over foreign students due to sponsorship costs and visa requirements.
The post has sparked discussion among Indian students considering overseas education, particularly amid tightening immigration rules across Europe and the UK.
