Six in 10 Indian professionals more inclined to seek global remote roles than relocate overseas: Report
As visa pathways tighten and mobility grows more complex, Indian professionals are changing how they pursue global careers, finds a new study.
Indeed’s latest report on global career work and mobility finds that global exposure is increasingly being built in India through skills, international projects, and remote opportunities rather than through immediate relocation.
India’s role in global talent flows remains massive: it has the world's largest overseas population, with approximately 35.4 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIOs), according to the foreign ministry's May 2025 data. US immigration data shows that over 70 % of H‑1B visas are awarded to Indian nationals, reinforcing the country’s central role in the global tech and professional workforce.
The latest study gathered insights from 552 employers and 1,019 employees across India and global markets. As much as 61% of Indian professionals are now more inclined to seek global remote roles than relocate overseas. At the same time, 49% say they would continue working from India if their preferred visa pathway is unavailable. Despite this shift in approach, ambition has not faded--44% still value international careers, highlighting that goals remain steady even as strategies adapt.
At the same time, expectations remain realistic. While some professionals are of the view that global careers can now be built entirely from India, 51% say working abroad still offers advantages that are difficult to replicate locally, particularly at early career stages.
The biggest change, however, is the drop in certainty. Just 15% of professionals say they clearly understand visa rules, leaving many unsure about when or whether they can realistically plan a move abroad. This uncertainty weighs most heavily on early- and mid-career talent, for whom timing and stability are critical.
“Global careers haven’t become less attractive, they’ve become less linear,” said Sashi Kumar, managing director, Indeed India. “What we’re seeing is a shift from ‘move first, build later’ to ‘prepare first, move later or not at all’. Skills, experience, and global exposure are increasingly being built before geography changes.”
The study shows that working on international projects in India is now the preferred route to gaining global exposure, ranking higher than short-term overseas assignments or education abroad. This reflects a broader move toward skills-led, project-based global careers, where employability and experience matter more than location. Professionals are responding accordingly. About 39% say they are actively preparing for global opportunities through upskilling, certifications, and international networking, often without a clear expectation of immediate relocation.
Nearly a third of employers say skilled Indian professionals are now choosing alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK and parts of Europe, while others are opting to stay closer to home. Germany stands out as the most consistent alternative, with 47% of professionals across career stages listing it as their preferred non-US option, ahead of Canada, the Middle East, and Singapore.
Visa rigidity is also adding pressure inside organisations. Four in 10 employees (41%) say they would consider switching employers if it improved their chances of an overseas transfer, underscoring how prolonged uncertainty can quickly become a retention challenge.
For many professionals, uncertainty over visas is shaping not just long-term plans but loyalty at work. About 41% say they would switch employers for clearer mobility pathways, signalling that global exposure is becoming a meaningful part of how talent evaluates opportunities.
Indeed’s latest report on global career work and mobility finds that global exposure is increasingly being built in India through skills, international projects, and remote opportunities rather than through immediate relocation.
India’s role in global talent flows remains massive: it has the world's largest overseas population, with approximately 35.4 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIOs), according to the foreign ministry's May 2025 data. US immigration data shows that over 70 % of H‑1B visas are awarded to Indian nationals, reinforcing the country’s central role in the global tech and professional workforce.
The latest study gathered insights from 552 employers and 1,019 employees across India and global markets. As much as 61% of Indian professionals are now more inclined to seek global remote roles than relocate overseas. At the same time, 49% say they would continue working from India if their preferred visa pathway is unavailable. Despite this shift in approach, ambition has not faded--44% still value international careers, highlighting that goals remain steady even as strategies adapt.
At the same time, expectations remain realistic. While some professionals are of the view that global careers can now be built entirely from India, 51% say working abroad still offers advantages that are difficult to replicate locally, particularly at early career stages.
The biggest change, however, is the drop in certainty. Just 15% of professionals say they clearly understand visa rules, leaving many unsure about when or whether they can realistically plan a move abroad. This uncertainty weighs most heavily on early- and mid-career talent, for whom timing and stability are critical.
“Global careers haven’t become less attractive, they’ve become less linear,” said Sashi Kumar, managing director, Indeed India. “What we’re seeing is a shift from ‘move first, build later’ to ‘prepare first, move later or not at all’. Skills, experience, and global exposure are increasingly being built before geography changes.”
The study shows that working on international projects in India is now the preferred route to gaining global exposure, ranking higher than short-term overseas assignments or education abroad. This reflects a broader move toward skills-led, project-based global careers, where employability and experience matter more than location. Professionals are responding accordingly. About 39% say they are actively preparing for global opportunities through upskilling, certifications, and international networking, often without a clear expectation of immediate relocation.
Nearly a third of employers say skilled Indian professionals are now choosing alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK and parts of Europe, while others are opting to stay closer to home. Germany stands out as the most consistent alternative, with 47% of professionals across career stages listing it as their preferred non-US option, ahead of Canada, the Middle East, and Singapore.
Visa rigidity is also adding pressure inside organisations. Four in 10 employees (41%) say they would consider switching employers if it improved their chances of an overseas transfer, underscoring how prolonged uncertainty can quickly become a retention challenge.
For many professionals, uncertainty over visas is shaping not just long-term plans but loyalty at work. About 41% say they would switch employers for clearer mobility pathways, signalling that global exposure is becoming a meaningful part of how talent evaluates opportunities.
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