From London to Dubai: How Immigration Changes Are Redirecting Student Flows

15 May 2025 Tridivesh Singh Maini

With countries like the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK introducing stricter immigration rules, international students and professionals are increasingly expected to explore alternative destinations.

The UK is expected to roll out a series of measures aimed at curbing immigration, as the Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks to tighten border controls. While speaking at a conference about a white paper to be published on immigration, British PM Keir Starmer, who heads the incumbent Labour government, said: “ We will create a migration system that is controlled, selective and fair”.

Some of the proposed changes include, but are not restricted to:

Adults accompanying overseas workers will be expected to pass an English test.
Foreign workers can currently apply for permanent settlement, or the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), after five years of residency in the UK, but this will now be extended to 10 years.
International students will be able to remain for a period of 18 months, as opposed to 2 years, after completing their graduation.

He also said that the current immigration system had made the UK an “island of strangers”. The Starmer administration seeks to reduce the number of immigrants by 100,00. In 2023, migration to the UK had reached over 900,000 during the previous conservative government led by Rishi Sunak.

Also Read: BRICS+ Expansion and Strategic Realignment

Starmer’s remarks drew criticism from several quarters. Labour MP Sarah Owen said, “The best way to avoid becoming an ‘island of strangers’ is investing in communities to thrive, not pitting people against each other.”

She also said that it could lead the UK “down a very dark path”.

Liberal Dispensations in other countries in the Anglosphere

While right-of-centre leaders, like US President Donald Trump and several European counterparts, have often drawn attention for their anti-immigrant rhetoric, it is increasingly evident that left-of-centre governments like the Labour Party in the United Kingdom are also recalibrating their approach to immigration.

Two prominent examples of this are Canada and Australia. In Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney, who led the Liberal Party to a victory in the recent elections, is likely to introduce massive immigration changes. These include reducing the number of international students and temporary workers. Also, Canada aims to significantly reduce the number of permanent residents annually.

Australian PM, Anthony Albanese, who leads the Australian Labour Party, which is a left of centre dispensation, was re-elected recently and has also sought to reduce annual net migration to 2,50,000 in 2024-25.

Key reasons for the new immigration policies

Some of the key reasons for the new approach vis-à-vis immigration in all the above countries, as well as other Western nations, are:

The belief that the tendency of employers to go for cheap labour from overseas is adversely impacting locals.
The increased pressure on housing due to the rising population, attributed to the increasing inflow of immigrants.
Several international students are reportedly using lesser-known higher education institutions as a route to enter the country, with the primary aim of working rather than pursuing genuine academic goals.

Indian students looking at new destinations

Indian students have accounted for a significant percentage of the international student community, and all the above countries are also home to several professionals on work visas. In 2024, however, there has been a drop in Indian students going to the UK, US, Canada, and Australia (referred to as the big four)

Indian students are closely tracking these global shifts and adapting swiftly to the evolving landscape. A clear indication of this trend is the growing number of Indian students opting for destinations like Ireland, Singapore, and Dubai, countries that are relatively more affordable and actively seeking to attract international talent.

Each of these destinations offers distinct advantages that enhance their appeal. Singapore and Dubai, in particular, have seen a notable rise in Indian enrolments and are expected to remain popular alternatives, partly due to their geographical proximity to India.

In conclusion, while Anglosphere countries have introduced measures to tighten immigration, most recently highlighted by the UK government’s announcements, individuals with strong qualifications and in-demand skills are unlikely to face significant hurdles.

The US, UK, Australia, and Canada will continue to be top choices for many international students, including those from India. However, as these countries revise their immigration policies, students are increasingly exploring alternative destinations, as discussed earlier.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author solely. TheRise.co.in neither endorses nor is responsible for them. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.