As certain countries tighten their visa regimes, what adjustments should India make to deal with the emerging situation better?.—.THE announcements of Australia, regarding a cap on international students and Canada regarding temporary workers once again highlight the changing approach of countries in the Anglosphere vis-à-vis immigration..Australia set its cap of 270,000 international students in 2025, while Canada announced that it would cut the number of temporary foreign workers and residents..Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "It is not fair to Canadians struggling to find a good job, and it's not fair to those temporary foreign workers, some of whom are being mistreated and exploited.".The temporary foreign worker has come in for criticism because it leads to exploitation of workers. The UN has also voiced concerns over this issue. There has been some talk of Australia curbing the inflow of international students for some time, while Canada's decision comes at a time when unemployment is supposed to have reached 6 percent..While opposition to immigration has often been associated with populist right-wing leaders, in this case, it is a Labour government in Australia and a Liberal dispensation in Canada, led by Justin Trudeau— considered to be pro-immigrant. No political outfit can afford to be 'pro-immigrant' at the cost of annoying locals..“Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "It is not fair to Canadians struggling to find a good job, and it's not fair to those temporary foreign workers, some of whom are being mistreated and exploited.".It is not just Australia and Canada, but the UK too has sought to check the inflow of international students and introduced changes to the student and work visas..In recent years, both Australia and Canada have been favoured destinations for Indian students. In 2023, there was a significant number of Indians in these two countries, making them major players in the global education market. Indians accounted for well over one-thirds of the international student visas issued by Canada..Also read: The lifeless clause: Refugees and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.Therefore, such decisions indicate that while on one hand governments understand the economic contribution of international students, they cannot afford to annoy local constituents who are skeptical vis-à-vis rising immigration numbers..Impact on specific states.Both countries are especially popular destinations for students from Punjab and Haryana. In recent years, there has been talk of Canada wanting to diversify its student pool and reduce the intake of students from these states..Many Australian universities have imposed blanket bans on six Indian states (Punjab and Haryana common to all) in their student processing last year, citing fake applications for visa fraud. This included letters written to their education agents in India to stop processing applications from these six Indian states..Although allegedly enacted to combat visa fraud, these restrictions have sparked questions about their efficacy and impartiality. It may be reasonable for colleges to prioritise the safety of their institutions, but implementing complete prohibitions can have detrimental effects on legitimate applicants and exacerbate unfavourable public opinions..Implementing more focused strategies, such as improving screening procedures and fostering closer collaboration with Indian authorities, may prove more efficient in combating visa fraud while reducing the adverse consequences for innocent students..Impact on Punjab's economy.While Punjabis have always been outward-looking and in search of better opportunities, in recent years it is the lack of economic opportunities and social problems in the state that have led to higher levels of migration— and the 'push factors' far outweigh the pull factors..According to estimates, students from Punjab invest a whopping ₹68,000 crore US $8 billion into the Canadian education sector through tuition fees alone..“Both Canada and Australia are especially popular destinations for students from Punjab and Haryana..One of the industries that has thrived in recent years in the state is that of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) centres. A distinctly visible trend in Punjab is that not just individuals— students or workers— move to Canada, but their parents also move along with them, selling their assets back home..Also read: Labour export to Israel circumvents India's safety protocol.The increasing difficulty of the conventional routes has prompted students and workers from several Indian states— including Punjab and Haryana— to consider other opportunities in other places, such as EU countries, the United States, and so on..A wide variety of migratory locations can bear both advantageous and harmful consequences. On one hand, it can decrease the clustering of migrants in a limited number of countries, therefore alleviating the possible hazards linked to policy modifications..Conversely, it can contribute to the complexity and competitiveness of the migration process, necessitating people to constantly upskill and become generalists to cater to a wider array of skills and qualifications..The recent policy changes in Australia and Canada have extensive ramifications that extend beyond the immediate difficulties faced by the individuals and communities directly impacted..These modifications possess the capacity to reconfigure worldwide migration trends, affect regional economies and determine the formulation of international immigration policies..Due to the declining number of migrants from Punjab and Haryana to Australia and Canada, the demand for migration services and opportunities in these states is expected to decline, which will have a negative effect on local economies and businesses that cater to migrants (IELTS centres have already been impacted)..The long-term effects of these measures will be experienced for many years, and it is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to thoroughly evaluate the wider ramifications of their choices..Furthermore, these changes have substantial ramifications for India. Demographic decline in migration to Australia and Canada may have implications for remittances, brain drain, investment, education and the diaspora..India must meticulously evaluate these consequences and create measures to alleviate adverse impacts while optimising any advantages..“Many Australian universities have imposed blanket bans on six Indian states in their student processing last year, citing fake applications for visa fraud..These local diasporas are quintessential factors for India's soft power. They act as local ambassadors and promote Indianness in their host nations. This, in turn, also translates into an enhanced global image, cultural immersion and tourism opportunities..Policy recommendations.In light of the tightening of global immigration laws in established countries such as Australia and Canada, India should implement a sophisticated approach that not only tackles the current obstacles but also positions the country to capitalise on the changing global environment..Also read: Export of Indian workers to Israel has no legality, say major trade unions.India should prioritise the enhancement of its domestic education and vocational training institutions in order to establish avenues that provide competitive alternatives to overseas migration..Through the establishment of innovation hubs and strategic investments in industries with significant growth prospects, India can effectively retain skilled individuals and alleviate the burden on its population to pursue opportunities outside..Students and professionals should widen their horizons and not restrict themselves to the West, they should tap opportunities in other countries— especially in Gulf and Southeast Asia— which are trying to attract skilled labour and talent to give a boost to their research and development sector..Second, India should focus on making migration a thrust area in ties with developing economies in regions such as the Gulf and Southeast Asia (especially Vietnam and Malaysia), Africa and Latin America..These markets are currently undergoing fast economic expansion and an increasing need for a highly trained workforce, which presents new opportunities for Indian workers and students. Implementing such diversity will not only decrease reliance on a small number of countries but also distribute the risks linked to changes in immigration policies..Third, by utilising sophisticated data analytics and insights generated by artificial intelligence, India can track global migration patterns in real time and make well-informed decisions on where to concentrate its diplomatic and economic endeavours..The implementation of this data-driven strategy will enable India to predict changes in global labour markets and adjust its policies accordingly, therefore transforming possible obstacles into prospects for expansion and impact on the international arena..Fourth, there is no escape from the creation of economic opportunities back home which will ensure that migration is not driven solely by push factors, but better educational or economic opportunities..“India should focus on making migration a thrust area in ties with developing economies in regions such as the Gulf and Southeast Asia (especially Vietnam and Malaysia), Africa and Latin America..States such as Punjab should create economic opportunities, especially in the service sector— with a focus on Information Technology— and also set up funds for students who are keen to return and set up start-ups..The implementation of these policies would enable India to effectively negotiate the changing global environment and safeguard the welfare of its citizens residing overseas..Employing a holistic strategy that considers both local and international aspects will help counter the more restrictive migration policies being followed by several countries.
