Indian professionals are changing how they pursue global careers thanks to rigid visa rules and complexity involved in mobility. Indeed’s latest report on global career and mobility finds that global exposure is increasingly being built through skills, international projects, and remote opportunities rather than through immediate relocation.
According to the Foreign Ministry’s May 2025 data, India has the world’s largest overseas population, with approximately 35.4 million non-resident Indians and persons of Indian origin (PIOs). U.S. immigration data shows that over 70% of H-1B visas are awarded to Indian nationals.
Indeed’s study gathered insights from 552 employers and 1,019 employees across India and global markets. The research found that 61% of Indian professionals are now more inclined to seek global remote roles than relocate overseas; 49% say they would continue working from India if their preferred visa pathway is unavailable.
Despite this shift in approach, many still dream to work overseas. A total of 44% still value international careers. 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 earl y career stages.
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, says the report.
“Global careers have not become less attractive, they have become less linear,” said Sashi Kumar, managing director, Indeed India.
“What we are 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. Close to 40% of professionals say they are actively preparing for global opportunities through upskilling, certifications and international networking, often without a clear expectation of immediate relocation.
The report shows that almost one in two employers (47%) say a significant portion of their United States teams depend on visa-linked talent. Entry-level hiring has taken the hardest hit, with 55% of employers saying early-career roles are the first to be affected.
Germany most preferred
Nearly a third of employers say skilled Indian professionals are now choosing alternative destinations such as Canada, the United Kingdom 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.
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.
Published - February 18, 2026 07:40 pm IST
