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H-1B visa alternatives: In a major revamp of the H-1B visa system, US President Donald Trump last week signed and introduced a steep fee hike, raising the annual cost to $100,000. This has alarmed Indian tech workers and students, the largest group using this route to the US. Fortunately, the growing global demand for skilled labour and the increasing global competitiveness of the Indian workforce, combined with foreign countries’ desire for economic growth and cultural diversity, have given Indian students and workers better alternatives.
Trump’s new visa policy to impact Indian students planning to study, work in US
Not only due to the US’s new decision, but the interest of students towards the other top countries, Canada, and the United Kingdom has seen a decline. As reported by indianexpress.com in April, Canada witnessed a 32% drop, with permits falling from 2.78 lakh to 1.89 lakh, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the country would welcome foreign employees who might have worked in the US but are now facing hurdles due to the $100,000 H-1B visa application fee introduced by the Trump administration.
The United States saw an even steeper 34% decrease, with F1 visas dropping from 1,31,000 to 86,110 between fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Similarly, the UK recorded a 26% reduction, with sponsored student visas issued to Indians decreasing from 1,20,000 to 88,732, based on UK Home Office figures. However, as Indian students diversify their study abroad destinations, more countries are welcoming Indian talent.
From Austria’s newly launched two-year Master’s programme designed specifically for Indian STEM graduates — with built-in industry exposure — to strategic initiatives by France and Germany aimed at easing access and enhancing academic mobility, the global education landscape is evolving rapidly. We discover which nations are opening doors for Indian students, offering not only world-class education but also promising career prospects abroad.
China has unveiled plans to introduce a new “K visa” category specifically designed to attract young professionals in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This move follows the country’s decision in August to amend its regulations governing the entry and exit of foreign nationals.
The K visa is expected to offer greater flexibility compared to the existing 12 standard visa types, including benefits such as extended validity, multiple entries, and longer stays. Once granted, holders of the K visa will be permitted to participate in educational, cultural, and scientific exchanges, as well as engage in entrepreneurial and business activities within China.
The K visa will be granted to young international students in science and technology who have earned bachelor’s degrees or higher from recognised universities or research institutions in China or abroad, specifically in STEM fields.
France has a special provision for Indian students, where if a student has spent even just a semester in the country or holds a Master’s degree or above and has spent at least a semester studying there, they are eligible for a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa. These candidates will also need to submit a duly completed visa application fully compliant with the usual Schengen requirements.
Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron had launched Classes Internationales for Indian students to learn French for a year in their country before pursuing the degree of their choice. The programme is open to all Indian students, irrespective of their current level of French. Academic excellence is the only prerequisite to admit students to the programme, it added.
As stated in ed-tech company upGrad’s report, Germany has emerged as the top choice, with student share rising from 13.2 per cent in 2022 to a staggering 32.6 per cent in 2024–25. Canada, too, saw a sharp fall — from 17.85 per cent to 9.3 per cent. Germany is known for its world-class education and low or even no tuition fees.
What’s the average cost of living in Germany for students?
Students only have to take care of their living expenses, including rent, local transportation, food, and recreation. The language has been one of the barriers, but over 2000 degree courses are taught in English, mostly at master’s level.
Meanwhile, Germany’s new Skilled Immigration Act will also offer Indian students a smoother pathway into the German labour market. The German government now allows international students from outside the European Union to work up to 20 hours per week, overriding the previous limit of 10 hours.
Additionally, Indian students can now pursue short-term academic programmes in Germany without incurring visa fees, via gratis visas. Gratis visas are issued to specific categories of travellers, such as children under ten, certain SAARC nationals, diplomatic personnel, and holders of United Nations Laissez-Passer.
This will enable school and college students to engage in short-term academic programmes, participate in cultural exchange activities, and collaborate on research projects without having to worry about the cost of visa fees.
Katharina Wieser, Austrian Ambassador to India, alongside Armstrong Pame, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Education, recently announced a new collaboration between Austria’s technical universities and VFS Education Services, aimed at improving India-Austria ties in the education space and increasing the scope for student mobility.
As stated by Wieser, the country has very moderate university fees. The country’s government extensively support public universities. With a skilled labour shortage in Austria, fewer European students are taking STEM fields. Indian talents can be a support for their economy. Additionally, Austria is one of the safest countries in Europe, with very low crime rates, making it safer for parents, too.
International students in Austria can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies. Some universities also employ students in labs and administrative offices. They have also introduced a new course designed for engineering students from recognised colleges in India, particularly those listed in the ANABIN database.
Australia has last year come up with a new scheme that allows talented young people from India to work in the country for some time. The Department of Home Affairs of Australia states that the MATES program offers Indian university graduates and early career professionals an opportunity to live and work in Australia for up to two years.
To be eligible, applicants must be Indian nationals aged 30 or below at the time of application, possess proficient English language skills (with an overall IELTS or equivalent score of at least 6 and no module below 5), and must not have previously participated in the programme.
Additionally, candidates should have graduated within the past two years from a recognised educational institution and hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher in fields such as renewable energy, mining, engineering, Information Communications Technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology (FinTech), or agricultural technology (AgriTech).
