Rising Visa Costs Send Indians Fleeing Abroad
A growing trend of Indians returning to their homeland after completing studies abroad is gaining momentum due to rising costs associated with obtaining work visas in countries like the UK. The minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas in the UK increased from nearly $35,409 in 2024 to around $52,303 by April, and further to nearly $56,358 in July 2025.
Indian companies are now approaching talent with experience abroad differently due to these rising costs. At least two companies that considered a 25-year-old Indian professional for jobs told her that sponsoring her visa was beyond what they could afford. The individual ultimately returned to India after her visa expired.
A recent analysis by Student Circus, a career platform based in the UK, found that job openings aimed at people returning to India are increasing. The number of views for India-based jobs on the platform climbed to 22,312 by July 2026, almost three times the 8,052 views recorded in 2023.
The trend is also affecting Indian students studying abroad. The UK has announced that it will reduce the post-study period available to international students from two years to 18 months for applications made from January next year.