Australia has extended post-study work rights for international graduate students, Indian students pursue international studies abroad in the number of four million
Most international students in OECD countries come from Asia
In 2021, close to 60% of international students in the OECD came from Asia, mostly from China and India. According to a recent report from OECD titled ‘International Migration Outlook: 2023. China and India are the top two countries of origin for international students in OECD countries, with 8,85,000 and 4,24,000 students, respectively.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an association of 38 member countries from North and South America to Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Due to partial or complete border restrictions in all OECD nations in 2020
There was a sharp drop in the number of permits granted to international students. However, in 2022, these flows of students recovered and reached their highest point ever in about half of the OECD countries. In 2022, the OECD issued more than 1.9 million residence permits to foreign tertiary-level students. This is the highest number ever recorded and 24% higher than in 2019.
The United Kingdom, rather than the United States, is the top country receiving new international students for the fourth year in a row. Japan, Australia, and Canada are the top five recipient nations.
Several OECD countries have announced sweeping changes or reforms to the migration policy framework in the past year including rules for international students.
The United Kingdom government announced restrictions on student visa routes in May 2023. Only international students in post-graduate research routes will be able to bring family members. In the face of record-high immigration numbers in 2022 – due in part to a fast-growing number of dependants of international students, which increased by 750% between 2019 and 2023 – the UK had to take these steps.
Spain has improved the conditions for students to work
Spain has improved the conditions for students to work during their studies and to stay and work post-graduation to encourage employment and self-employment among international graduates from Spanish universities. The changes allow foreign students to work 30 hours per week, up from 20, to gain more work experience in the Spanish labor market during their studies and more easily transition from a study permit to a work permit after graduation, including for self-employment.
Australia has extended post-study work rights for international graduate students from an Australian higher education provider in targeted sectors (health, teaching, engineering, and agriculture).
Korea has launched a fast-track program for permanent residence and naturalization of outstanding foreign scientific and technological talents to retain international top students and promote their integration.