Global visa changes: Strict visa rules clog migration from India

The changed visa processing policies have resulted in the steep decline of migration of Indians. The change in the US visa rules has already affected the Indian IT workers. Many immigrants are considering to leave the US and move back to India.

According to Ernst & Young’s Future of Jobs 2018 report, there will be 25-30% decline in the migration of Indian workers to traditional markets. The visa rules in major western economies, especially the United States has hit the Indian workforce. The EY report predicts a decline from the current 86% to 60% in the number of H-1B visas issued for Indian IT workforce.

United States
The major factor contributing to the high-demand of Indian workers in the US is their employment at positions that offer lesser pay packages. The US government is proposing to hike the minimum salaries in the US postings from $60,000 to $100,000 per annum, which will make employing Indian workers uneconomical for US companies.

United Kingdom
Majority of the visa recipients for foreign skilled workers in the UK were Indians from January to November 2016. The country has tightened its entry rules post Brexit. The UK has also raised the salary threshold for employing outsiders. The easiest route to get a job in the UK was for students. In the last one year, even students are facing difficulties in finding jobs in the UK.

Australia and New Zealand
A few months ago, Australia scrapped 457 visa programs. Skilled Indians were among the major beneficiaries of these visa programs. New Zealand has started following the ‘Kiwi First’ policy. The policy is designed to encourage employers to hire more Kiwis and invest in upskilling them.

Middle East
The number of Indians heading to jobs in the Middle East has considerably dipped since 2016. Saudi Arabia alone has recorded a decline of 50% jobs in 2017. The drop was attributed to various factors including ‘Saudisation and Emiratisation’, which is meant to ensure local worker policies.