As visa pathways tighten and mobility grows more complex, Indian professionals are changing how they pursue global careers. Indeed’s latest report on global career work and mobility finds that global exposure is increasingly being built from India through skills, international projects, and remote opportunities rather than through immediate relocation.
India’s role in global talent flows remains massive: it has the world’s largest overseas population, with approximately 35.4 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIOs), according to the Foreign Ministry’s May 2025 data. US immigration data shows that over 70 % of H‑1B visas are awarded to Indian nationals, reinforcing India’s central role in the global tech and professional workforce.
The latest study gathered insights from 552 employers and 1,019 employees across India and global markets. 61% of Indian professionals are now more inclined to seek global remote roles than relocate overseas. At the same time, 49% say they would continue working from India if their preferred visa pathway is unavailable. Despite this shift in approach, ambition has not faded; 44% still value international careers, highlighting that goals remain steady even as strategies adapt. At the same time, expectations remain realistic. While some professionals believe global careers can now be built entirely from India, 51% say working abroad still offers advantages that are difficult to replicate locally, particularly at early career stages.
The biggest change, however, is the drop in certainty. Just 15% of professionals say they clearly understand visa rules, leaving many unsure about when or whether they can realistically plan a move abroad. This uncertainty weighs most heavily on early- and mid-career talent, for whom timing and stability are critical.
“Global careers haven’t become less attractive, they’ve become less linear,” said Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India. “What we’re seeing is a shift from ‘move first, build later’ to ‘prepare first, move later or not at all’. Skills, experience, and global exposure are increasingly being built before geography changes.”
The study shows that working on international projects from India is now the preferred route to gaining global exposure, ranking higher than short-term overseas assignments or education abroad. This reflects a broader move toward skills-led, project-based global careers, where employability and experience matter more than location. Professionals are responding accordingly. 39% say they are actively preparing for global opportunities through upskilling, certifications, and international networking, often without a clear expectation of immediate relocation.
Uneven impact, real consequences
Not every employer is affected in the same way. The report shows that almost one in two employers (47%) say a significant portion of their U.S. teams depend on visa-linked talent, making them especially vulnerable to shifting rules and outcomes.
Those feeling the pressure report a familiar pattern:
- Rising hiring costs
- Fewer approved visas
- Higher legal and compliance overheads
- Delays in delivering client projects
The biggest concern, however, sits at the bottom of the ladder. Entry-level hiring has taken the hardest hit, with 55% of employers saying early-career roles are the first to be affected, raising questions about the future talent.
Visa rigidity is redirecting talent and workflows
Nearly a third of employers say skilled Indian professionals are now choosing alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK, and parts of Europe, while others are opting to stay closer to home. Germany stands out as the most consistent alternative, with 47% of professionals across career stages listing it as their preferred non-US option, ahead of Canada, the Middle East, and Singapore.
Visa rigidity is also adding pressure inside organisations. Four in ten employees (41%) say they would consider switching employers if it improved their chances of an overseas transfer, underscoring how prolonged uncertainty can quickly become a retention challenge.
For many professionals, uncertainty around visas is shaping not just long-term plans but loyalty at work. 41% say they would switch employers for clearer mobility pathways, signalling that global exposure is becoming a meaningful part of how talent evaluates opportunities.
Employers are responding, but the approaches vary widely. More than half say they are investing in preparing Indian teams for international exposure, and 46% report improved retention and workforce growth as a result. Others are still testing different strategies, such as local hiring, hybrid models, selective relocation, and vendor partnerships, with no single model yet emerging as the clear answer.
What this means for job seekers
What matters most now are skills, international experience, and global reputation, not where you physically are. To ensure long-term career growth, no matter your location, you need to build globally useful skills, work on international projects from India, and show early on that you have global ambitions.
