The Indian Diaspora
Immigration Politics Abroad
How tighter immigration rules in the US, UK, Canada and Australia after 2023 affect Indian migrants, students and remittances, and how India responds through mobility agreements.
Immigration has become a political issue in many destination countries.
Recent changes
- US: stricter enforcement, deportations of undocumented migrants including Indians in 2025, and the H-1B fee.
- UK: higher salary thresholds for skilled visas in 2024.
- Canada: cuts to study permits and temporary residents from 2024.
- Australia: caps on international students.
Undocumented migration
Some Indians attempt irregular routes, like the “donkey route” through Central America to the US, paying agents large sums and facing serious risks.
Mobility agreements
India has signed migration and mobility partnership agreements with countries like Germany, France, Japan, Italy and Israel to create legal pathways for workers.
Demand for workers
Ageing countries like Japan, Germany and Italy need workers in health, construction and technology, creating new opportunities.
Economic stakes
Changes abroad affect remittances, student spending and the IT industry.
A young man from Punjab pays an agent lakhs of rupees to reach the US through several countries. He's caught and deported, losing his family's savings.
Rules in popular destinations have tightened since 2023.
- The US, UK, Canada and Australia tightened immigration from 2023-25.
- Irregular "donkey routes" carry serious risks.
- India signs mobility agreements for legal pathways.
- Ageing countries need workers, creating new opportunities.
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