New Delhi — India remains one of the world’s leading sources of high-skilled workers, ranking at or near the top across major visa programs, according to a report released Thursday.
The report by workforce management services firm Deel said India is the No. 1 source of U.S. H-1B visas, the No. 2 source of UK Skilled Worker visas and the No. 2 source of EU Blue Cards.
India continues to drive major global skilled visa pipelines and is expected to benefit from changing migration patterns as employers pay premiums for scarce talent rather than simply seeking lower labor costs, the report said.
Indians also led in both UAE Golden Visas and standard employment visas, while accounting for 38 percent of the UAE’s total population.
The report, based on data from more than 40,000 companies hiring across over 150 countries, found that visa holders consistently earn more than local workers in comparable roles. Deel said the trend shows that global hiring is being driven by demand for specialized skills rather than wage arbitrage.
In the United States, H-1B workers earn a median salary of $140,000, compared with $130,000 for citizens in similar roles. In the UK, Skilled Worker visa holders earn £96,000, compared with £87,000 for nationals. In the UAE, Golden Visa holders earn 605,000 dirhams, compared with 459,000 dirhams for standard employment visa holders.
Australia recorded the fastest growth in hiring Indian talent on Deel’s platform, rising 724 percent year over year. The UK followed with 142 percent growth, while the U.S. recorded 139 percent growth.
The UAE remains the top global destination for Indian professionals, followed by Singapore, the UK, the U.S. and Canada.
The report highlighted rising international demand for Indian technology talent, especially in engineering, software development, artificial intelligence and digital services.
Germany’s Opportunity Card program, which is designed to attract skilled non-EU workers without requiring a prior job offer, has already issued nearly one-third of its total permits to Indians.
“Rather than concentrating in a handful of traditional destinations, talent is moving across a broader set of markets,” said Lauren Thomas, economist at Deel.
The report said India may also be entering a new phase in which it increasingly attracts globally trained professionals back home as domestic opportunities expand. (Source: IANS)
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