India boasts the world’s largest diaspora, with a significant number of its citizens settling in various countries, notably the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The United Nations World Migration Report 2022 highlighted this trend, underscoring the global nature of migration. However, recent developments in immigration policies in Australia, Canada, and the UK have the potential to reshape the dynamics of this diaspora.
Australia’s Immigration Reforms: Balancing Act in a Tight Labor Market
Australia, often considered a preferred destination for Indian students and workers, has recently undergone significant immigration reforms. On December 11, the Australian government, in an effort to “fix the broken immigration system,” announced measures to restrict the intake of international students and low-skilled workers. This decision came in response to the anticipated peak in net immigration, expected to reach a record 510,000 in the fiscal year 2022-23.
The key changes involve tightening visa rules for international students, including raising the English proficiency test scores required for visa applications. Graduate visa applicants will now need a score of 6.5, up from the previous requirement of 6.0, while student visa applicants must achieve a score of 6.0, up from 5.5. These adjustments aim to ensure a higher level of language proficiency among international students entering Australia.
Despite these changes, Australia affirms its commitment to uphold agreements under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). This means that Indian graduates will still be eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa, with varying durations based on their degree completion – two years for a Bachelor’s degree, three years for a Master’s degree, and four years for a PhD.
In addition to these measures, Australia is introducing a new specialist visa for highly skilled workers, intending to streamline the recruitment process for businesses seeking top-tier talent. The proposed visa promises a one-week processing time and is open to eligible applicants earning at least $135,000, excluding certain occupations like trade workers, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers. The government estimates that this new pathway will contribute $3.4 billion to the country’s budget over the next decade.
Australia’s reliance on immigration, historically integral to its labor market, has led to these reforms, reflecting the delicate balance the government seeks to maintain in managing migration amid economic considerations and competition with other developed economies.
Canada’s Adjustments: Financial Requirements and Work Opportunities
Moving across the Pacific, Canada, another favored destination for Indian students, has made adjustments to its immigration policies. Starting January 1, 2024, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is doubling the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants. International students now need to show access to US$15,219 (CAN$20,635), up from the previous US$7,376 (CAN$10,000), a significant financial burden for those aspiring to study in Canada.
In conjunction with this change, the IRCC Minister, Marc Miller, announced an extension of off-campus work hours for international students until the end of April 2024. The waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit will provide relief to students facing the rising cost of living. There is also speculation about potentially increasing the limit to 30 hours per week, though full-time work during the study period remains unlikely.
Despite these adjustments, diplomatic tensions have added a layer of complexity. Canada’s removal of 41 diplomats from New Delhi in the midst of a diplomatic row could lead to long delays for Indian students in visa applications, posing additional challenges for those seeking education opportunities in Canada.
Canada emphasizes the economic contributions of international education, which surpass $22 billion annually and support over 200,000 jobs in the country. However, the balance between economic benefits and ensuring accessibility for international students is delicate, especially as cost-related barriers increase.
United Kingdom’s Stringent Measures: Salary Thresholds and Family Reunification Challenges
Turning our attention to the United Kingdom, recent developments in immigration policies reflect an effort to reduce the high number of people moving to the country. Announced earlier this month, the UK government’s measures aim to lower authorized immigration, which reached a record high in 2022. Home Secretary James Cleverly framed these changes as “robust action” to address the immigration challenge.
The UK’s package of measures includes raising the minimum salary threshold for foreign skilled workers by a third, increasing it from $33,000 to $48,800. This move is aligned with the government’s objective to make it more difficult for foreign workers to access work visas. The salary threshold also applies to British citizens seeking to bring their foreign spouses to the UK, effectively doubling the current threshold.
While health and social care sectors, heavily reliant on immigrant staff, are exempt from the salary rule, care workers from overseas may no longer bring dependent relatives. This restriction has raised concerns within the industry, as the availability of skilled migrant workers is critical for the functioning of hospitals and care homes.
The UK government’s measures extend to international students as well. Starting in January, most foreign graduate students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK. This decision has sparked dissatisfaction among Indian students and business associations, given their substantial contributions to the British economy.
According to a report by London Economics citing data from 2020-21, international students contribute significantly to the British economy. Indians represent the second-largest cohort of international students studying in the UK, contributing nearly ten times more to the economy than they take. These measures, announced amid pressure on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to address record net migration, illustrate the ongoing struggle to find a balance between economic considerations and immigration control.
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