Gujarat’s flourishing international education industry is now unclear due to changes in immigration laws in Western nations, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia. According to experts, the number of overseas students will significantly decline, and the international education consulting industry will also slow down.
Approximately 1.5 lakh Gujarati students study abroad each year, but this year’s enrolment is expected to drop sharply.
Canada has seen the most significant drop. Bhavin Thaker, who runs an education consultancy in Ahmedabad, told a section of a media, “Changes in visa and work permit-related policies have resulted in a 75% decrease in student interest in Canada.”
Thaker further added, “The policies of the current govt in Canada are not in favour of Indian immigrants. Meanwhile, US visa challenges have been a year-long issue, though recent approvals offered some respite.” He also stated that the downturn was a severe financial setback Since 75% of his company’s sales came from the US and Canada. The UK and Australia account for most of his business, with Singapore and other nations following.
It goes beyond just Canada. Industry experts gauge a 25% drop in Gujarati Students heading to the US for further studies.
Amit Rao, another analyst based in the city, noted the broader trends: “There has been a significant shift in the sentiment regarding international education. Overall, the number of students studying overseas has decreased by 20%. Over the last three years, restrictive regulations have caused a 45% decline in Canada alone. Germany and the UK are emerging as desirable alternatives, even as the US faces uncertainties over possible policy changes. Additionally, many students are waiting until September 2025 for admission.
The situation with Australia is on the verge of recovery but remains a mixed scenario. “Many students were previously discouraged by the Australian High Commission’s stricter financial requirements. Nonetheless, recent policy changes in the nation, such as giving preference to Indian students, have been beneficial,” stated a city-based consultant.
Due to its stable economy and relatively lower visa requirements, Europe and Southeast Asia are becoming more popular choices for students as traditional locations become less accessible; Germany has become a formidable challenger.
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