- The US introduced new Green Card application rules.
- Indian students and parents are worried about uncertainty.
- Many students are now exploring European countries.
- Germany, France, and Ireland are seeing more Indian applicants.
- Some experts say the new memo does not change existing laws.
For many years, the United States was the first choice for Indian students who wanted to study abroad. The country offered world-class universities, job opportunities, and a possible path to permanent residency through Green Cards.
However, recent immigration changes under the Trump administration are creating concern among Indian students and professionals already living in the US or planning to move there.
The latest concern comes from a new memo released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The memo says that foreigners applying for Green Cards may now need to return to their home countries to complete the process.
The move has created anxiety among Indian students and families who invested heavily in education abroad in hopes of building a future in the US.
At the same time, many students are now looking toward Europe as an alternative destination for higher education and long-term career opportunities.
What has changed in the US green card system?
Last week, the US announced changes to its Green Card process. A Green Card allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States.
Under the new policy, foreigners who are staying in the US temporarily may need to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency.
“From now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a green card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” said Zach Kahler, a spokesman for US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The USCIS memo explained that students, temporary workers, and tourists would need to go through the Department of State process from outside the US.
USCIS said the move would make the immigration system “fairer and more efficient.”
The Department of Homeland Security also posted on X: “The era of abusing our nation’s immigration system is over.”
The policy has received criticism from immigration experts and lawmakers.
Ami Bera, an Indian-American Congressman, opposed the move and said it would create fear and uncertainty.
“I strongly oppose the Trump administration’s disruptive decision to require many students, temporary visa holders, and other individuals seeking green cards to leave the United States and return to their home countries while their applications are processed,” Bera said.
“This policy creates unnecessary fear and uncertainty for families, workers, and employers who are following the law.”
Why are Indian students worried?
The new memo has caused major concern among Indian students and professionals in the United States.
For many Indian families, studying in America is not only about education but also about building a long-term future through employment and permanent residency.
The new rule creates uncertainty because students may now have to leave the US while waiting for their Green Card applications.
Many parents who borrowed money or spent large savings on overseas education are worried about what this means for their children’s future.
As Bulusu Janardhan from Andhra Pradesh told The Hindu, “I thought sending my son to the US would help him become financially independent and also help us clear the debts we accumulated for his education. But the situation now is frightening.”
“The US has been ruthless towards international students lately. Despite all the hardships, my son completed his course and had just started thinking about employment when this news came,” he added.
Experts say the Green Card memo is only one part of a larger pattern of immigration uncertainty in the US.
Mayank Kumar, co-founder and former managing director of upGrad, told Moneycontrol, “The broader message the US is sending right now is that immigration pathways are getting tougher and tougher. You’ve already had tighter OPT and STEM OPT scrutiny, uncertainty around the H-1B lottery, and now this.”
Piyush Bhartyiya, founder and CEO of AdmitKard, also said, “There has been a stacking of negative or ambiguous immigration signals over the last few years, and many students now view the US as a highly volatile market from an immigration standpoint.”
Why is Europe becoming more attractive?
As concerns grow around studying and settling in the US, many Indian students are now looking at Europe as a safer and more stable option.
Countries like Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands are becoming increasingly popular among Indian students.
Experts say students believe European countries offer more stable immigration and education policies.
“We are already seeing students actively prioritising alternatives such as Germany, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands because they perceive those markets to offer greater regulatory stability,” Bhartiya of AdmitKard said.
“Europe has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this shift.”
Data from education platforms also shows a major increase in the number of Indian students applying to European universities.
According to a report by Leverage Edu, the European Union saw a 62 percent year-on-year increase in Indian students choosing Europe for higher education.
Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, Malta, and the Netherlands were among the top destinations.
“Germany alone has nearly doubled year-on-year, while Italy and France have also seen strong five-seven growth multiples,” said Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu.
GyanDhan, another study abroad and financing platform, reported similar growth trends for European countries.
A separate TerraTern survey found that students and young professionals from smaller Indian cities preferred Germany over other destinations.
Germany was chosen by 75 percent of respondents as their top choice, followed by the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.
“Students from non-metro India are far more cost-sensitive and tend to evaluate study abroad as a financial decision first,” said Divyansh Chaudhari, founder of TerraTern.
Despite the growing concern, some experts have advised students not to panic.
Akshay Chaturvedi of Leverage Edu said the USCIS memo mainly repeats existing immigration rules rather than introducing a completely new law.
“It’s important to read the USCIS memo for what it is: a reminder of existing discretionary authority, and not a statutory change to the immigration code. The memo introduces no new law, rather simply reiterates that Adjustment of Status has always been a discretionary benefit, not an automatic entitlement, and that applications must be evaluated on the totality of circumstances.”
Vemuri Ravi Kumar, Chairman of the AP Non-Resident Telugu Society, also said, “The new law may not have much impact on existing applicants. We are waiting for greater clarity.”
Still, the uncertainty around immigration policies appears to be changing how many Indian students view the American Dream.
