India has emerged as one of the world's most important sources of high-skilled talent, leading or ranking near the top across major visa programmes in the US, UK, Europe and the UAE, according to a new global workforce report.
India continues to dominate global skilled migration pathways, ranking as the number one source of US H-1B visas, second for UK Skilled Worker visas and second for EU Blue Cards, according to a report by workforce management platform Deel.
The report, which analysed hiring data from more than 40,000 companies operating across over 150 countries, found that Indian professionals remain in strong demand worldwide, particularly in technology, software development, artificial intelligence and digital services.
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Indians also led in both UAE Golden Visas and standard employment visas, reflecting the country's growing influence in international labour markets. The UAE remains the most popular destination for Indian professionals, followed by Singapore, the UK, the US and Canada.
According to the report, employers are increasingly hiring skilled foreign workers to address talent shortages rather than reduce labour costs. This trend is reflected in salary data, which shows that visa holders often earn more than local workers in comparable roles.
In the United States, H-1B visa holders earn a median salary of $140,000 compared to $130,000 for US citizens in similar positions. In the UK, Skilled Worker visa holders earn £96,000 versus £87,000 for British nationals, while UAE Golden Visa holders earn 6,05,000 AED compared with 4,59,000 AED for standard employment visa holders.
The report also highlighted strong growth in demand for Indian talent across several countries. Australia recorded the fastest increase in hiring Indian professionals on Deel's platform, with recruitment surging 724 per cent year-on-year. The UK followed with 142 per cent growth, while hiring in the US rose by 139 per cent.
Germany's Opportunity Card programme, introduced to attract skilled non-European Union workers, has also seen significant participation from India. Nearly one-third of all permits issued under the programme have gone to Indian applicants.
"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 further suggested that India could be entering a new phase where globally trained professionals increasingly return home as domestic career opportunities expand. Rising demand for skilled workers within India and the country's growing technology ecosystem may encourage more overseas professionals to consider returning in the years ahead.
(With IANS inputs)
Published: 11 Jun 2026, 02:18 pm IST
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