Over the past 12 months, the global landscape for international education witnessed a notable change as many study destinations tightened the immigration
and student visa policies. The countries that are top choices for Indian students—the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia—have signaled stricter oversight, rising costs, and reduced post-study work opportunities. These measures and announcements are enough to mark a shift away from what was once a relatively predictable pathway for global students. These changes are unfolding at a time of broader economic and global shifts. India and the US have signed a long-awaited trade deal, under which tariffs on Indian goods have been cut from 50 per cent to 18 per cent. The deal reflects changing ties, with migration, education and worker movement increasingly shaped by economic needs and domestic jobs. Across the world, countries are revising their immigration rules due to concerns over security, pressure on domestic job markets, and long-term population planning. For students and families planning to study abroad in 2026, this has created a more complex and uncertain environment. It has reduced the stability that international education pathways offered for much of the past decade. What was once a largely predictable system for global students is now marked by stricter scrutiny, tighter regulations, and longer processing timelines. Where are Indians studying abroad? According to data presented by the Ministry of External Affairs in Parliament during the Winter Session, around 18.82 lakh Indian students were studying overseas across 153 countries in 2025. For the first time, this figure includes school-level enrolments of about 6.28 lakh students, alongside 12.54 lakh pursuing higher education. While the overall numbers point to a wide global spread, higher-education enrolments declined from 13.3 lakh in 2024. It is the first drop after several years of steady growth. This slowdown has been influenced by rising education costs, stricter visa rules, and changing post-study work opportunities. Canada remains the largest destination for Indian students, followed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Regionally, North America hosts the highest concentration, followed by Europe, Oceania, and Asia.
