MANAGING THE GREAT MBA MIGRATION

WITH VISA CHANGES AND COST PRESSURES SHAKING UP THE GLOBAL MBA SCENE, INDIAN STUDENTS ARE RETHINKING STRATEGY, DESTINATIONS, AND FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR THEIR OVERSEAS DREAMS

- BY SONALI

WHEN HARSH PARDESHI received his MBA admission letter from the Auckland University of Technology, excitement was quickly tempered by uncertainty.

"The visa process took longer than expected, and securing accommodation before arrival was a major challenge," Harsh recalls. Like many Indian students, this year, his journey abroad is no longer a simple leap towards the traditional 'Big 4' MBA destinations—the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Instead, what lies ahead is a more complex, uncertain path shaped by volatile visa regimes, rising education costs, and shifting geopolitical landscapes. The sketch of Indian students pursuing MBAs overseas is being redrawn, demanding sharper strategies, deeper research, and renewed flexibility.

A WIDENING HORIZON

"Mobility is not shrinking but diversifying," says Saurabh Arora, Founder & CEO of University Living, a global student housing marketplace. "The US remains the largest host with over 1.1 million international students, but recent policy changes, such as the $100,000 H-1B petition fee, have students thinking carefully about long-term career pathways. Canada, traditionally a strong choice, has seen demand cool after introducing a national study permit cap and stricter postgraduate work permits," he adds.

Such moves have steered many students towards Europe, where Germany hosts close to 400,000 international students. According to Study in Germany, the nation hosted around 469,485 international students as of 2023-2024.

France recently crossed 440,000, as per the ICEF monitor, and countries like Ireland and Spain offer streamlined visa processes and attractive post-study work options.