Study Abroad: the Honest Guide

What you need to know

1. 1
   About 12.5 lakh Indians study in colleges abroad (MEA). The biggest destinations are Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia and Germany.
2. 2
   It costs tens of lakhs of rupees, and countries have been tightening visas, family rules and work-after-study rules. A good degree from a good university can pay off; a weak college with a big loan often does not.
3. 3
   MBBS abroad has strict Indian rules, and most foreign graduates fail the Indian screening test.
4. 4
   Plan with official websites, not agents' promises. Register with the Indian embassy once you arrive.

Official sources

• mea.gov.inMEA: register as a student abroad (MADAD)↗
• madad.gov.inMADAD: help from Indian missions↗

Inside this branch

• Every year: the calendar
• Is it worth it?2 more
• MBBS abroad2 more
• Money and loans2 more
• Scholarships2 more
• Tests1 more
• Visas and work after study2 more
• Safety and help2 more
• Avoid scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Most countries start courses in August–September (some also in January–February). Apply about 9–12 months ahead; take English and other tests before that.
2. 2
   Scholarships close early: Chevening usually in early October, Commonwealth around October, Erasmus Mundus mostly October–January, India's National Overseas Scholarship from around April–May.
3. 3
   Visa rules and fees change often: always check the official website before you apply.

Official sources

• chevening.orgChevening (UK)↗
• eacea.ec.europa.euErasmus Mundus (Europe)↗
• nosmsje.gov.inNational Overseas Scholarship (SC and others)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  MEA: Indian students abroadOfficial count and student registration.
  Free
• Official
  UK: bringing familyWho can bring dependants.
  Free
• Official
  UK: Graduate visa2 years now, 18 months from 2027 applications.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Questions to ask
• Rules are tightening

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Is the university well known and genuine, or just any college that gives a visa? One expert estimate is that only about 30% of Indian students abroad are at established universities (reported).
2. 2
   What will the total cost be (fees, living, travel, insurance), and how will a loan be repaid if you return to India or do not find a job abroad?
3. 3
   Would a good Indian college, or a foreign university campus in India, give you the same result for far less money?

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapAfter Class 12: all choices→
• Vaidaani roadmapEngineering and JEE→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Canada caps study permits; the UK lets only research and government-sponsored master's students bring family; Australia limits new students; US visas for Indians fell sharply recently (reported).
2. 2
   Post-study work is shrinking too: the UK Graduate visa drops from 2 years to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.

Official sources

• gov.ukUK: bringing family on a student visa↗
• gov.ukUK: Graduate visa↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Official
  NMC: foreign medical graduate rules (PDF)54 months, internship, one university, English.
  Free
• Official
  National Medical CommissionPublic notices and country alerts.
  Free
• Official
  NBEMS (FMGE)The screening test and results.
  Free
• Article
  Medical Dialogues: FMGE resultsHow many pass (reported).
  Free

Inside this branch

• The rules
• Warnings

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   To practise in India you need a qualifying NEET-UG score before you go; a course of at least 54 months plus a 12-month internship at the same university, in English, with no transfers; a licence to practise in that country; then the Indian test (FMGE, later NExT) and another 12-month internship in India.

Official sources

• nmc.org.inNMC: rules for foreign medical graduates (PDF)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapBecome a doctor→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Most candidates fail FMGE: recent pass rates were roughly 12–24% (reported).
2. 2
   NMC has warned about some universities in Uzbekistan and others, and does not accept the Philippines BS-MD route for students admitted from 18 November 2021 (reported). Read NMC's public notices before paying.

Official sources

• natboard.edu.inNBEMS: FMGE results↗
• nmc.org.inNational Medical Commission: public notices↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  RBI: LRS circularLimit for sending money abroad.
  Free
• Official
  IBA model education loanMargin, collateral, repayment.
  Free
• Official
  PM-Vidyalaxmi portalCompare and apply for loans.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Education loans
• Sending money abroad

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Banks follow the IBA model scheme: loans above ₹7.5 lakh usually need collateral, and you start repaying a year after the course. Compare banks on PM-Vidyalaxmi.
2. 2
   Government interest subsidies (PM-Vidyalaxmi, CSIS) are for study in India only. Interest on an education loan can be deducted from taxable income under Section 80E (old tax regime).

Official sources

• canarabank.bank.inIBA model education loan (Canara Bank page)↗
• pmvidyalaxmi.co.inPM-Vidyalaxmi loan portal↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   You can send up to USD 250,000 a year under RBI's LRS (more for study if the university's fees need it).
2. 2
   There is no TCS on money paid from an education loan. On your own money above ₹10 lakh a year, TCS is charged, but it is adjusted against your income tax, not lost. Rates change in budgets.

Official sources

• rbi.org.inRBI: Liberalised Remittance Scheme↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 6

• Official
  National Overseas Scholarship guidelines (PDF)SC and other groups, income under ₹8 lakh.
  Free
• Official
  NOS for ST students (FAQ)Awards for ST and PVTG students.
  Free
• Official
  Telangana Ambedkar Overseas Vidya NidhiA state scheme example.
  Free
• Official
  CheveningUK master's, needs work experience.
  Free
• Official
  Commonwealth Master'sNeeds a nomination from India.
  Free
• Official
  Inlaks FoundationPrivate scholarship for top universities.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Government of India
• International

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   National Overseas Scholarship for SC and others: 125 awards a year for master's or PhD at top-500 universities, family income under ₹8 lakh, 30% for women. A separate scheme exists for ST students.
2. 2
   Some states have their own, e.g. Telangana's Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi.

Official sources

• nosmsje.gov.inNational Overseas Scholarship (SC and others)↗
• tribal.nic.inNational Overseas Scholarship for ST (FAQ)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapScholarships for every stage→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Chevening and Commonwealth (UK master's), Fulbright-Nehru (USA, needs work experience), Erasmus Mundus (Europe), DAAD (Germany), MEXT (Japan, through the embassy). They are competitive and fully funded.

Official sources

• chevening.orgChevening (UK)↗
• cscuk.fcdo.gov.ukCommonwealth Master's Scholarships (UK)↗
• usief.org.inUSIEF: Fulbright-Nehru (USA)↗
• eacea.ec.europa.euErasmus Mundus (Europe)↗
• daad.inDAAD India (Germany)↗
• in.emb-japan.go.jpEmbassy of Japan in India (MEXT scholarships)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 2

• Official
  UK: student visa (English rules)Visa requirements, including money.
  Free
• Official
  USA: student visaSteps and documents.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What you may need

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   English: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo, each costing roughly ₹6,000–19,000 (reported). Check which test your university and visa accept.
2. 2
   Others: SAT for US bachelor's, GRE or GMAT for many master's and MBA courses.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 6

• Official
  Canada: proof of fundsCurrent living-cost amount.
  Free
• Official
  Canada: PGWP eligibilityLanguage and field rules.
  Free
• Official
  USCIS: OPTWork after study in the US.
  Free
• Official
  SEVIS feePay the US SEVIS fee only here.
  Free
• Official
  Australia: student visaFunds and conditions.
  Free
• Official
  German Embassy India: student visaBlocked account and documents.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Showing money
• Work after study

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Every country asks you to prove funds for fees and living costs, often held for a set time. The amounts change: read the official page for your country, not an agent's chart.

Official sources

• gov.ukUK: student visa money rules↗
• canada.caCanada: proof of funds↗
• india.diplo.deGerman Embassy India: student visa↗
• immi.homeaffairs.gov.auAustralia: student visa↗
• travel.state.govUSA: student visa↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   UK Graduate visa (2 years, then 18 months), Canada post-graduation work permit (language and, for college courses, field-of-study rules), US OPT (12 months, plus 24 for STEM). These rules are under review in several countries.

Official sources

• gov.ukUK: Graduate visa↗
• canada.caCanada: post-graduation work permit↗
• uscis.govUSA: OPT work after study↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  MADADRegister and raise grievances with missions.
  Free
• Official
  MEA: Emigration and You (PDF)Students don't need emigration clearance.
  Free
• Official
  eMigrateFor overseas jobs, not students.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to do
• For girls

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Register with the Indian mission on the MEA student portal (MADAD); few students do, but it helps in emergencies. Keep copies of passport, visa and admission papers with family.
2. 2
   Students do not need emigration clearance if they carry proof of admission; eMigrate is for overseas jobs.

Official sources

• mea.gov.inMEA: register as a student abroad (MADAD)↗
• madad.gov.inMADAD: help from Indian missions↗
• mea.gov.inMEA: Emigration and You (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Choose safe housing near campus, share your location with family, and save the Indian embassy's emergency number. Many scholarships, like NOS, reserve places for women.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapFor girls: every scheme→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 3

• Official
  Indian Embassy USA: student advisoryFake and sting universities.
  Free
• Article
  PIE News: Canada fake letter caseAgent jailed after students faced deportation.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fraud.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Fake admission letters: hundreds of Indian students in Canada faced deportation over letters arranged by an agent, who was jailed. Check your offer directly with the university.
2. 2
   "Guaranteed visa, job or PR" or unusually cheap "complete packages". India has no national licence for education agents, so check reviews and never hand over original documents.
3. 3
   Fake universities: US police have even run sting universities. Check accreditation on official sites. Lost money? Call 1930.

Official sources

• thepienews.comPIE News: Canada fake admission letter case↗
• indianembassyusa.gov.inIndian Embassy USA: advisory on fake universities↗
• cybercrime.gov.inCyber crime portal (helpline 1930)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us