2026 forecast: Cities that will become the next student mobility hotspots

India represents one of the largest education markets in the world, with over 40 million students engaged in school and university education every year. Given this scale, it is natural that the number of students aspiring to pursue quality higher education at globally recognised institutions continues to rise. For many Indian families, studying abroad remains a key pathway to access academic quality, global exposure, and long-term career outcomes.

According to University Living’s Indian Student Mobility Report, an estimated 1.3 million Indian students were studying at foreign universities globally in 2024. This figure reflects University Living’s consolidated estimate based on destination-level enrolment data and outbound mobility tracking.

Policy shifts in traditional destinations

Over the past few years, policy frameworks across the Big Four destinations Canada, the UK, the US, and Australia have evolved materially. These changes are not shutting doors, but they are clearly reshaping pathways. According to insights from the University Living Research Desk, 2025 policy updates across these destinations favour applicants who plan early, demonstrate financial and academic readiness, and align closely with each country’s expectations from its international student population.


In the United States, the Fall 2025 snapshot shows total international student numbers dipping by around 1%, while new enrolments declined by approximately 17%. Indian arrivals slowed during key intake windows, largely due to visa processing delays rather than demand-side weakness. Students who secure entry continue to benefit from OPT and career-linked pathways that remain central to the US value proposition.

In the United Kingdom, study and post-study routes remain active, but the structure has tightened. While overall sponsored study visa volumes have cooled from the 2023 peak, the most visible shift has been in dependent visas, which dropped by over 80% following policy changes. Employment transitions remain viable primarily for students from well-ranked institutions with defined academic and career plans.

In Canada, the system remains open but is now significantly more selective. Financial scrutiny has increased and documentation standards have tightened. While the official minimum living cost threshold was raised earlier, the broader impact has been a sharp rise in refusal rates for Indian applicants since 2023. Students with strong financial backing, accurate documentation, and enrolments at high-quality institutions continue to secure approvals, but the margin for error has narrowed considerably.

In Australia, the introduction of MD115 has linked visa processing priority to institutional capacity. Providers operating below roughly 80% utilisation are prioritised, while those above 115% capacity experience slower processing. The National Planning Level for 2026 has been set at 295,000 student places, signalling continued openness, but within clearly defined operational limits.

Emerging destinations to watch in 2026

Indian students are planning earlier and diversifying more deliberately. Many families are now beginning their planning cycle 18 to 24 months before departure, using that time to assess post-study work rights, permanent residency pathways, and spouse work permissions rather than focusing only on university rankings. The mindset has shifted from “we will see after we land” to “we need clarity before we apply.”

According to University Living’s ANZ-focused analysis, New Zealand illustrates this shift well. Indian student numbers there rose from about 1,600 in 2022 to over 7,000 by 2024, signalling growing confidence in the market. Eligible degree-level graduates can access up to three years of post-study work rights, and average living costs typically range between NZD 20,000 and NZD 25,000 per year, figures families increasingly factor in alongside tuition. Course selection is now closely aligned with New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category, allowing students to integrate PSW and PR planning from the outset.

Europe has also become a core part of diversified planning. According to University Living’s Europe report, Germany currently hosts around 50,000 Indian students, making India its largest single source country. Graduates can remain in the country for up to 18 months on a job-search residence permit, and subsequently target the EU Blue Card. In 2025, the Blue Card salary threshold stands at €48,300 for most roles, or approximately €43,759 for shortage occupations and new entrants. Combined with low or zero tuition at many public universities, Germany has increasingly moved into Plan B and Plan C strategies for Indian families.

France is following a similar trajectory. Indian student numbers have increased from roughly 6,400 in 2022 to around 8,500 in 2024, and the French government has set a target of 30,000 Indian students by 2030. A key attraction is the APS route, which allows eligible Indian graduates to stay and work for up to two years after completing certain degrees. With tuition at many public institutions remaining under €10,000 per year, France is now viewed as a practical alternative when UK or Canada plans face uncertainty.

Beyond these, students with stronger academic profiles are also evaluating policy-led options such as Dubai and Japan. The UAE’s Golden Visa offers five- or ten-year residency, with several skilled professional categories requiring minimum monthly salaries of around AED 30,000. Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker framework allows stays of up to five years under SSW (i), while SSW (ii) offers renewable status and a pathway towards permanent residency. These are not mass-market routes yet, but they are firmly on the radar for students in engineering, healthcare, and technology.

A portfolio mindset takes shape

At the core of these shifts is a more structured view of study abroad as a long-term investment. Global estimates suggest that tuition and living costs can easily exceed USD 50,000 over a multi-year programme in major destinations once fees, rent, and daily expenses are combined.

As a result, Indian families are synchronising three decisions early: applications across two or three countries, course selection aligned with skills-shortage lists, and early housing planning so leases align with visa timelines. The behaviour has moved away from chasing a single dream destination toward managing a portfolio of options, where policy rules, financial thresholds, and long-term outcomes now sit at the centre of every decision.