Indian students are getting US study visas without much difficulty. On the other hand, the UK has started issuing post-study work visas, a step welcomed by international students. As a result, few are preferring Australia.
Let us keep things in perspective. What is happening in the post covid world in terms of immigration and international student recruitment? USA, Australia, UK and Canada have always been the four pillars of this industry, attracting talent worldwide for decades.
Immigrants and international students contribute significantly to the respective economies. They bring in billions of dollars, but their brainpower and hard work are essential for growth.
Walk into a restaurant or an admin office, or a high tech company, and you don’t miss them. So when such is the importance of immigrants and international students, let us see how these pillars respond.
The USA…Shining
I can say in India at the moment the festival of student visas is on. Hundreds and thousands of visas are getting stamped across various consulates in India.
The policymakers and intellectuals are rigorously pursuing a pro-immigrant policy. There is strong demand for removing in country quota for Green Cards. They have a proposal to introduce a dual intent visa for international students.
Read This: The Dangers of farm work in Australia
In this world of globalisation and open skies policy, it is declared that an outdated immigration policy would make the country less competitive. So they are treading the path of pro-immigrant and rolling a red carpet for international students. Their international borders are open for international students from 1st August 2021.A move in the right direction.
The UK…Glowing
UK government recently introduced a two-year post-study work permit which aroused great interest among international students and immigrants. As a result, though not in the magnitude of USA, a good number of students are queuing up to the UK.
The government is doing everything in its might to encourage international students. They realised that we need to live with covid for an uncertain period and we should move on. The key is they opened their international borders. Reflecting on this line of thinking, the UK government has taken several proactive measures. Some universities are bearing the quarantine cost of students.
A very encouraging gesture.
Australia.. Fading
What is happening?
Australia is totally out of the mind of international students and immigrants. Why? The answer is before everyone.
Do you think developed countries like the USA, UK and Canada have not thought of risks associated with the opening of international borders?
Read This: Australia is losing in a big way in this multi-billion dollar industry
What happens to the line of thinking that we need to live with covid for an uncertain period of time? If this continues for the next five years, shall we isolate ourselves for this period?
Shall the eyewash statements like international students are critical, and we welcome them at an appropriate time serve the purpose. A pilot program here and another there, will this keep the interest of international students alive? Millions of questions to be answered.
Are we ready with answers to resurrect and rejuvenate?
Sekhar Bhupathi is into the vertical of overseas education and immigration for 18 years heading a company called IAEC consultants Pvt Ltd. He is known for his leadership qualities and thorough grasp of trends in the field of overseas education.He has addressed more than 1000 seminars helping students aspiring to study in various destinations like Australia USA UK etc.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the editorial views or position of NRI Affairs.
Follow NRI Affairs on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.
