Kolkata: Amid uncertainty over visa processing delays in the US, France and Germany are emerging as preferred choices for Indian students.Karan Lalit, executive director of South Asia for TOEFL & GRE at Educational Testing Service, stated that over the last three to four years following the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany and France are emerging as new student hotspots among the top five choices.Lalit said, “The major reason is the cost-effectiveness of studying there. If students opt for government institutions, it is almost free of cost. In the last three years, we saw a 10%-15% year-on-year increase in student footfall. High-quality education at a lower cost is drawing students to these regions. Another effective factor is that post-study job opportunities for students are also quite high.”France is growing as another hotspot for overseas education. French govt has set a target to attract a larger number of Indian students through academic partnerships, easier visa processing, and an increasing number of English-taught programmes making them attractive to students.This shift away from traditional destinations like the US and Canada is driven by visa processing timelines, policy uncertainty, and affordability concerns, all of which have influenced the decision-making process for prospective students. Industry reports also indicate a slowdown in new international enrolments, particularly at the graduate level. However, he noted that these concerns might be temporary, saying, “While these factors may affect the pipeline of fresh aspirants, they have not yet translated into a decline in the overall Indian student population currently studying in the US.”According to the latest Open Doors data, the number of Indian students increased from 2,68,923 in 2022–23 to 3,63,019 in 2023–24 and remained at around 3,60,000 in 2024–25. However, the pace of growth has moderated significantly, indicating that the market is entering a more measured phase after several years of exceptionally strong expansion.Visa processing timelines, policy uncertainty and affordability concerns have influenced the decision-making process for some prospective students. Industry reports also indicate a slowdown in new international enrolments, particularly at the graduate level. “While these factors may affect the pipeline of new students, they have not yet translated into a decline in the overall Indian student population currently studying in the US. The US, therefore, remains a highly desirable destination, even as students increasingly keep alternative countries in consideration,” he added.As experts highlight, visa uncertainty could negatively impact future admissions. Recently, several students failed to join their desired universities or management colleges solely due to visa delays, even after paying their enrolment deposits. Consequently, students are looking for alternative countries with smoother processing systems.Apart from Germany, Australia is also seeing growth, now hosting around 60,000 Indian students per year. New Zealand sees about 10,000 Indian applicants annually, and that number is rising. Meanwhile, Ireland has emerged as a popular destination, attracting roughly 15,000 students per year.Explaining this trend, Lalit said students are considering a wider range of destinations alongside the US and are preparing for options across multiple countries simultaneously. He said, “In this context, globally recognized assessments such as the TOEFL test can support destination flexibility by enabling students to demonstrate their English-language proficiency to institutions across a wide international network, irrespective of which country they ultimately choose. Early planning, reliable guidance, and strong academic preparation remain central to making an informed destination decision.”ETS found that compared to the South, West, or North of India, Eastern India contributes only roughly 10%-15% of the applicant pool. According to the organisations, this does not mean students from the region lack interest, but rather that they often lack guidance on choosing the right options or preparing for the TOEFL and GRE. The partnership aims to provide students with resources to prepare effectively through mock tests, while offering plenty of overseas study options tailored to their aspirations.Vikash Agarwal, chairperson and MD of Crizac Limited, said, “This platform will provide students with the right ideas and preparation resources so that they can achieve their dreams.”
