New Delhi: A significant shift has been observed in the trends of Indian students wishing to study abroad. According to data from IDP Education, student inquiries for studying in the US have declined by 46.4 percent in the past year. Meanwhile, inquiries for Canada have declined by 70 to 75 percent in two years.
Piyush Kumar, Regional Director for South Asia, Canada, and Latin America at IDP Education, explained that visa approval rates in the US are affected during election years. Potential policy changes and uncertainty surrounding visa regulations during the current President Trump’s tenure have impacted student plans. He stated that visa approval rates have declined since June 2024, leading to a decline of more than 46 percent in student demand. Impact of Canadian policies
Kumar noted that Canada has undergone several changes in the past two years. The diplomatic dispute between the Indian government and Canada has further impacted the situation. Additionally, US tariffs have put pressure on Canada’s economy, as 80 percent of its exports depend on the US.
The Canadian government has limited post-study work permits to only six streams. In this situation, students fear that if they choose other courses, they will not find job opportunities and will have to return. Britain and Australia have become students’ preferred destinations.
According to Piyush Kumar, student attraction to Britain and Australia remains stable. Australia, in particular, announced a nine percent increase in student numbers this year, describing it as a “managed growth” strategy. This has given students confidence that they can find secure opportunities there.
The Global Role of IDP Education
IDP Education was established by the Australian government in 1969. Today, it is a leading provider of international education services, enrolling nearly 100,000 students each year in over 800 global universities. The organization’s network spans countries like Australia, Britain, the United States, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
In India, IDP has 73 offices in 63 cities. It provides free expert guidance to students at every stage, from course and university selection to application, visa processing, and pre-departure preparation.
IDP Education is now strengthening its technological infrastructure to make its operations more efficient. Kumar said that artificial intelligence-based tools are being developed, which will provide better guidance to students and enable counselors to provide more accurate services. The organization believes that technology can revolutionize the field of education counseling.
