check grammar : The brain drain India has long feared is here. but the narrative has shifted. Indian professionals continue to pursue global opportunities, but the pathway has changed. Rather than relocating overseas, many are opting to remain in India while working for international teams remotely. A recent report from global hiring platform Indeed highlights the scale of this change, finding that 61% of Indian professionals now prefer global remote roles to moving abroad.
The talent is still looking outward, but the destination is increasingly virtual. As the global workforce becomes more flexible, India’s professionals are adapting to a new model of international employment.
The Indeed report is based on a survey of 552 employers and 1,019 employees across India and global markets. It revealed that 49 per cent of participants would choose to continue working from India if their preferred visa options were unavailable. This shift is primarily driven by stricter visa regulations and increasingly complex mobility requirements.
Despite this shift in strategy, the appeal of international careers remains strong. Around 44 per cent of respondents said global opportunities continue to matter to them, suggesting that while the path is changing, the ambition is not. Many professionals also believe that it is now possible to build a global career while staying in India. However, 51 per cent still feel that working abroad offers benefits that are hard to replicate locally, especially in the early stages of a career.
“Global careers haven’t become less attractive; they’ve become less linear,” said Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India. “We’re seeing a shift from ‘move first, build later’ to ‘prepare first, then move or not at all’. Skills, experience, and global exposure are increasingly being developed before any change in geography.”
The report highlights growing uncertainty around mobility: only 15% of professionals feel they clearly understand visa rules, leaving most unsure about if or when they can move abroad. This ambiguity is especially acute for early- and mid-career workers, for whom timing and stability matter most.
Global exposure from India: International projects undertaken remotely are emerging as a key pathway to global careers, preferred over short-term overseas roles or studying abroad.
Skills over location: The shift reflects a move toward skills-led, project-based global careers that prioritise experience and employability over physical relocation.
Upskilling trend: Nearly 39 per cent of professionals are preparing for global opportunities through upskilling, certifications, and international networking without immediate plans to move abroad.
Employer impact varies: About 47 per cent of employers have a significant portion of their US workforce dependent on visa-linked talent, making them vulnerable to policy changes.
Rising challenges: Companies report higher hiring costs, fewer visa approvals, increased compliance expenses, and project delays.
Entry-level roles hit first: 55 per cent of employers say early-career hiring is the most affected.
New destinations gaining ground: Around one-third of employers note a growing preference among Indian professionals for the UK, Canada, and parts of Europe, with Germany emerging as a strong alternative.