Story perspectives

EU-India Visa Pact Triggers 60% Student Surge

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

The EU-India mobility framework simplifies visas and post-study work routes, prompting more Indian students to choose Europe over the United States.
Indian overseas student outflow fell to about 626,000 in 2025 from over 908,000 in 2023.
The Netherlands hosted 3,700 Indian students in 2025/26, with Eindhoven University recording 2,140 enrolments, up from 1,390.
EU officials project a 60%-70% rise in Indian student flows as the bloc seeks talent at scale.

History

Historical Context

In 2014 the European Commission launched Erasmus+, broadening the original Erasmus mobility scheme to non-EU partners and setting the stage for later EU-India agreements. The 2021-2027 phase, which earmarks about two-thirds of its budget for study abroad, underpins the 2025 EU-India mobility framework that redirects Indian enrolments toward Dutch universities.

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Story summary

The EU-India mobility framework simplifies visas and post-study work routes, prompting more Indian students to choose Europe over the United States.
Indian overseas student outflow fell to about 626,000 in 2025 from over 908,000 in 2023.
The Netherlands hosted 3,700 Indian students in 2025/26, with Eindhoven University recording 2,140 enrolments, up from 1,390.
EU officials project a 60%-70% rise in Indian student flows as the bloc seeks talent at scale.

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