NEW DELHI — Indian students are increasingly reconsidering plans to study abroad as a weakening rupee and stricter visa rules in key destinations raise costs and barriers, industry officials and students said on Monday.
More than 1.2 million Indian students were enrolled in higher education overseas in 2025, with India the leading source of international students globally. Enrolments in major destinations such as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada have declined in recent years amid economic and policy pressures.
The Indian rupee has depreciated significantly against major currencies. It has fallen more than 10 percent against the US dollar in the past year and between 35 and 47 percent against currencies of popular study destinations since 2019, according to Sushil Sukhwani, founder of Edwise International.
This currency movement has increased the rupee cost of tuition, accommodation and living expenses, prompting many families to seek additional loans or delay plans. Tougher visa requirements and immigration policies in the US, UK and Canada have compounded the challenges.
Pragati Priya, a 29-year-old content creator from Jharkhand, is set to begin a master's programme in global economic affairs in Rome in September. She told the BBC the rising borrowing needs due to the rupee's decline had caused anxiety.
"It has kept me up at night. I don't want to burden myself with a student loan that I will never finish repaying," Priya said. She added that family support enabled her to proceed, though she considered dropping her plans.
Enrolments to the UK and US have fallen by about 20 percent over the last two years, with further declines expected, Sukhwani told the BBC. In the UK, 76 percent of universities reported drops in Indian student numbers for the January intake, while US enrolments fell nearly 7 percent in the year to February 2026.
Canada has imposed caps on study permits and raised financial requirements, contributing to higher rejection rates. Job prospects for international graduates have also tightened in several markets amid economic conditions and policy shifts.
Students already abroad have had to refinance loans as exchange rates moved against them. Some families are shifting focus to more affordable destinations in Europe, such as Germany, Ireland and Italy, which offer lower tuition and favourable post-study work options.
"The depreciating currency, the job market, the rise of AI, the visa issues and the current administration's policies have all combined to create a perfect storm," Sudhanshu Kaushik of the North America Association of Indian Students told the BBC.
Demand for overseas education remains, with interest growing in alternative destinations. Global forecasts indicate modest annual declines in enrolments in the "big four" countries through 2030.
As of June 22, 2026, prospective students continue to weigh options, with many prioritising affordability, return on investment and clearer post-study pathways, education consultants said. Details on the full extent of any enrolment shifts for the upcoming academic year remain unclear.
