61% Indian professionals keen on global remote roles than relocating overseas: Indeed report

“Global careers haven’t become less attractive; they’ve become less linear,” said Sashi Kumar, managing director, Indeed India. “What we’re seeing is a shift from ‘move first, build later’ to ‘prepare first, move later or not at all’. Skills, experience, and global exposure are increasingly being built before geography changes.”

On the other hand, the biggest change is the drop in certainty. About 15 per cent of the professionals said that they clearly understand visa rules, spotlighting a vast majority who are unsure about when or whether they can plan their move abroad. According to the Indeed report, this uncertainty weighs most heavily on early- and mid-career talent, for whom timing and stability are critical. 

The report also shows how many believe that getting involved in international projects from India is, at present, a gateway to gaining global exposure. It is also the preferred route to ranking higher than short-term overseas assignments or education abroad. This trend signals a broader shift towards skills-led, project-based global careers that usually value employability and experience more than location. As many as 39 per cent of professionals said that they are actively preparing for global opportunities through upskilling, certifications, and international networking, often without a clear expectation of immediate relocation.

When it comes to employers, not every company is impacted in the same way. According to the study, 47 per cent of the employers revealed that a significant portion of their US teams are dependent on visa-linked talent, which makes them vulnerable to shifting rules and outcomes. The companies that are facing the heat cited rising hiring costs, fewer approved visas, higher legal and compliance overheads, and delays in delivering client projects. However, the most impacted is entry-level hiring, as 55 per cent of employers revealed that early-career roles are the first to be affected. 

Meanwhile, about a third of the employers shared that skilled Indian professionals are now opting for destinations such as the UK, Canada, and parts of Europe, with Germany (47 per cent) being a consistent alternative.