Why is now the right time to pursue international education abroad

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Yet, despite these shifts, students with strong academic qualifications and clear career goals should not feel discouraged. On the contrary, the current moment presents a strategic opportunity to pursue an international education, as leading universities continue to value talent and reward merit.

According to the 2024 data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), there were around 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad. In 2025, the number has gone over 1.8 million, according to the latest data presented in the Rajya Sabha by the MEA, and is projected to rise in the coming years. This shows that even with the evolving study abroad landscape and visa policy changes, students are highly motivated to pursue a global education and get better employment opportunities and live a fulfilling life.

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Let’s take the example of the US 2025 has been a year of considerable changes for Indian students wanting to study in the US. While these changes might create a sense of uncertainty in the short term, a closer look suggests otherwise. The latest H-1B visa update, where the Trump administration has proposed a hike in the application fees to $100,000 from the existing $2,000 – $5,000 bracket, has created uncertainty and generated concern overnight, in the minds of Indian students and their families, and the prospective sponsoring employees. However, a quick clarification brought some relief: this announcement is applicable for only 12 months and primarily affects employers filing new H-1B applications, and it does not apply to visa renewals. Students beginning their studies now will typically look at H-1B pathways four to five years later, by which time the situation and the policy may be completely different.

But, even after the clarity, the mass exodus of Indian techies in the US has started. Reports highlight that many are choosing to leave, either because of the uncertainty over long-term immigration pathways, or the financial implications from rising visa costs, among other reasons. Furthermore, we at IDP, have seen a 46% decline in enquiries from aspiring students wanting to study in the US. This can be attributed to the geopolitical decisions in the past 6 to 12 months.

However, there are two sides to a coin! Where some see challenges, others see potential. The current scenario creates an excellent opportunity for committed students who wish to start their international academic journey.

Why? Take a leaf out of wealth management and investing. Experts buy more stocks when the market is down, anticipating higher returns. Of course, this isn’t exactly like investing and therefore the risks should be measured. Hence, students and their parents should only invest in the Blue-Chip stocks, meaning the best universities and colleges. They shouldn’t look for alternative or ‘currently’ favourable destinations, taking a short-term view.

Don’t confuse immigration with education

The key point which needs to be addressed foremost is that immigration stands independently from education discussions. The regulations governing visas respond to brief political and economic patterns. Education represents a long-term expenditure which builds up your professional capabilities and professional development as well as your career path. Yes, immigration policies also affect the intake size and scrutiny process, but does that undermine the quality of the institution being applied to?

The best global universities located in anglophone nations such as the UK, Canada, Australia, the US, Ireland and New Zealand provide students with exceptional educational experiences. Students who enrol at these institutions do so for their academic excellence and get access to both leading research and experienced faculty. The QS World University Rankings 2026 demonstrate that almost 60 leading universities from the top 100 institutions worldwide are located in these destinations, which confirms their dominance in educational institutions.

Why now is a strategic time to apply

The reportage surrounding visa policies fails to highlight the benefits which top or genuine candidates receive from these immigration restrictions. The measures implemented to control immigration flow create temporary decreases in the number of submitted applications. Purely from a mathematical or probability standpoint, the admission prospects for serious students or those with good academic achievements improve due to the decreased application numbers.

This situation has already started to materialise. The leading educational institutions in the UK and Australia together with Ireland maintain their dedication to welcoming talented international students. The countries understand the lasting advantages of drawing international skilled professionals because they need to replace their shrinking local workforce.

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Western nations such as the US, Canada and the UK experience both reduced birth rates and an ageing population, a Pew Research Centre report notes. These economies will depend on international students and immigrants to fill talent gaps, as well as drive innovation and support workforce sustainability because of their declining birth rates and ageing population.

Global credentials for the new world of work

The current work environment is experiencing rapid transformation because of technological advances in AI and automation, as well as green energy and data science fields. The World Economic Forum’s ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’ reveals that 63% employers find ‘skill gap’ the biggest barrier to business transformation, with 70% of employers expecting to hire staff with new skills. This underlines the increasingly competitive scenario of work.

MNCs also prefer their mid and senior level executives to have a worldview, global exposure and the ability to manage multi-cultural teams, possible only via real experience that’s difficult to replicate either domestically or via online credentials.

Students need more than degrees to succeed in this changing world because they must gain access to worldwide knowledge systems and practical experience, along with interdisciplinary thinking abilities. International education provides students with a unique advantage when compared to traditional education systems.

Employers identify global professional networking, together with resilience and adaptability, as fundamental abilities which students develop through studying abroad. Academic programmes which include internships prepare students for what’s expected on the job. Indian students who pursue higher education abroad tend to get more professional exposure because of their international educational experience and a global peer network.

A roadmap for today’s aspiring global students

Students planning to pursue international education should keep the following key principles in mind:

–Students should select academic programmes that match their academic background and future professional goals

–Invest in programmes that teach valuable skills with global applicability instead of pursuing immigration pathways

–Financial planning: Whether through loans or personal savings, students should ensure financial preparedness

Students from India should select universities from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand because these countries provide top-quality education along with familiar cultural environments.

We have already seen some of the speculations and recommendations from the US and UK overturned in favour of international students. The visa restrictions represent a short-term challenge rather than an enduring barrier to entry. The changes in visa policies and political environments will persist in their natural patterns of fluctuation. The fundamental worth of international education continues to be stable despite all other factors. Leading universities continue to focus on quality rather than quantity, even when policy changes occur, thus providing opportunities to students who show strong academic commitment.

The present academic environment supports students who maintain their academic performance.  The uncertain present does not need to stop you from succeeding because you can obtain the essential knowledge and skills to succeed in a global, connected economy.

When it comes to studying abroad, the real question is not if you should go abroad, but whether you are prepared to make the most of what a global education offers.

The author is the regional director of South Asia, Canada and Latin America (LATAM), IDP