With an increasing number of Indian students investigating alternate places such as Germany, France, and New Zealand, the international education scene may undergo a dramatic upheaval.

This move might be due to tightened immigration restrictions in traditional study abroad hotspots such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada, which has caused Indian students to reconsider their alternatives, according to several study abroad advisors.

Changes in immigration regulations have caused Indian students to be concerned about post-study employment options. Many students see Germany and France, with their more flexible work visa restrictions and expanding labor markets, as appealing options for a career after finishing their studies.

“The average annual tuition fees in New Zealand range from NZD 20,000 to NZD 25,000. Similarly, tuition costs in other European nations range between EUR 10,000 and EUR 20,000 each year. Because of their cost, they are very popular and feasible study locations. Furthermore, the total cost of living in these European nations is low, which contributes to students’ desire to complete their studies there,” said Gaurav Batra, Founder and spokesman of Infinite Group.

Among the alternatives, he claims that New Zealand is becoming a more popular location for students seeking avenues to permanent residence. “Opting for courses listed on the green list can significantly streamline the pathway to permanent residency in New Zealand,” he said.

Lower living expenses

Rising education and living costs in conventional study locations are projected to push Indian students to more economically feasible alternatives. In Canada, for example, a single student candidate must establish that he or she possesses $20,635, which is 75 percent of the LICO (Low Income Cut-Off), in addition to first-year tuition and travel expenditures.

LICO denotes the minimal income required to guarantee that a person does not spend a greater-than-average amount of his or her income on essentials.

From next spring, the UK government will raise the salary threshold for foreign workers by over half, from £26,200 to £38,700.

Study abroad advisers predict a surge in interest in Germany and France, where education rates are cheaper and living costs are lower, making them appealing choices.

“Tuition fees are not charged at many public universities in Germany, even for international students. While living costs may be equal to those in other Western European nations, the lack of tuition fees makes it appealing. Furthermore, many scholarships are available for overseas students,” added Vibha Kagzi, Founder and CEO of ReachIvy.com.

Furthermore, Germany has relaxed its immigration and citizenship requirements, reducing the time of necessary residency to 5 years from 8 years before. To be sure, the country is already popular with Indian students, accounting for the greatest population of overseas students, and this number is expected to grow even more.

Meanwhile, France plans to accept 20,000 Indian students by 2025, increasing to 30,000 by 2030.

According to Kagzi, France’s world-renowned institutions, such as Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres), Sorbonne University, and Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, have “relatively affordable” tuition prices. Students have a broad selection of programs to choose from, with the option of studying in English or French.

Early planning is critical

Study-abroad advisors stated they had changed their advice to reflect this changing trend, stressing a larger variety of destination possibilities to fit their clients’ different requirements and objectives.

Consultants tell students of possibilities depending on their areas of expertise.

In Australia, for example, the first Temporary Graduate Visa (TGV) will be shorter. Post-study work privileges will no longer be available for extension. An extension will be granted only to candidates who studied in a regional area.

Experts, on the other hand, are rooting for Germany. “According to comparisons with popular countries, Germany topped the list.” The PR Visa Processing Time here ranges between 2-3 weeks, which is significantly less than in other destinations,” stated Mamta Shekhawat, Founder of Gradding.com.

Early preparation and extensive research, according to experts, are critical. Those interested in the summer intake should start the application process as soon as possible. Individuals considering a college transfer should, similarly, begin studying relevant universities and their admission criteria early to make educated judgments.

“Students planning to study abroad during the summer intake should start applying to their preferred universities in January. “On average, the transition period for changing colleges and countries for overseas studies is one to two months,” stated Infinite Group’s Batra.

Before beginning the application process, students should carefully describe their academic and professional aspirations, as well as personal preferences. This clarity aids in the identification of appropriate programs and institutions that correspond with an individual’s ambitions, allowing him or her to submit a more focused and effective application.