Currency crash and visa crackdowns force Indian students to rethink studying abroad
Summary
Many Indian students who plan to study abroad are facing problems because the Indian rupee has lost a lot of value against foreign currencies, making education overseas more expensive. At the same time, stricter visa rules and fewer job opportunities abroad are causing some students to rethink their plans.Key Facts
- Indian students often go abroad for higher education in places like Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
- Over 1.2 million Indian students were studying abroad in 2025, making India the top source of international students.
- The Indian rupee has dropped 35-47% in value against major foreign currencies since 2019, increasing education costs overseas.
- Due to a weaker rupee and financial concerns, some students are troubled about taking large loans to study abroad.
- Visa rules have become stricter; in the UK, 76% of universities saw fewer Indian students in early 2026, and the US saw a nearly 7% enrollment drop from 2025 to 2026.
- Job prospects for international students in the US and Europe are tougher, pushing some to work low-paying gig jobs rather than skilled careers.
- The number of Indian students enrolling abroad is declining, especially for the fall 2026 intake, with experts predicting further drops.
- Despite challenges, demand for foreign education from Indian students remains strong overall.
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