While India continues to grow in leaps and bounds, Indian citizens are continuously looking for greener pastures. Australia & New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, UAE and Germany occupy the top spot in the best countries to immigrate from India.
The thought of starting a new life abroad can be an exciting yet daunting prospect for most Indians planning to make the switch. However, today, more Indians are giving up their citizenship as compared to previous years in search of a better future, cost of living abroad, good earning scope or for reasons best known to them. This article is dedicated to the best countries to immigrate to from India. As per the information available from the Ministry of External Affairs, the number of Indians who renounced their Indian citizenship was 1,63,370 (in 2021) and 2,25,620 (in 2022).
Traditionally the top countries for Indians to migrate are Canada, USA, Australia, and the UK. These countries offer good jobs, quality education, and large Indian communities. Germany, New Zealand, and the UAE are also popular choices for skilled workers and better lifestyle opportunities. The US offers diverse career opportunities. Australia provides a high quality of life. The UAE is popular for its strong economy and expat-friendly environment. Countries like Portugal and Malta are good options if you're interested in getting residency through investment.
Let us take a look at the total number of Indians giving up their citizenship in the last 14 years:
Indians Renouncing their Citizenship over the years
|
| Year |
Number of people who gave up Indian citizenship
|
| 2024 |
2,06,378 |
| 2023 |
2,16,219 |
| 2022 |
2,25,620 |
| 2021 |
1,63,370 |
| 2020 |
85,256 |
| 2019 |
1,44,017 |
| 2018 |
1,34,561 |
| 2017 |
1,33,049 |
| 2016 |
1,41,603 |
| 2015 |
1,31,489 |
| 2014 |
1,29,328 |
| 2013 |
1,31,405 |
| 2012 |
1,20,923 |
| 2011 |
1,22,819 |
source: MEA
Note: There was a significant drop in 2020 (likely due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions), followed by a sharp rise in 2021-2022, with numbers gradually declining again in 2023-2024 due to changing visa policies and wars.
Top Countries where the Indians Migrated in the Last 5 Years
In the last five years, Indians have primarily migrated to the USA, UAE, Canada, and Australia for employment and education. The USA holds the largest number of Indian immigrants (over 5 million) followed by the UAE (around 3.6-4.4 million) and Canada, driven by favourable residency, high-quality education and skilled work opportunities.
Best Countries to Immigrate from India – Top Reasons
Personal goals, professional aspirations, financial situation and the desire for a certain lifestyle are perhaps the top reasons for Indian citizens looking to make the switch. A lot of times, Indian students looking to study abroad are lured by the opportunity of a better standard of life, along with flexible immigration policies and eligibility criteria are some of the reasons that are responsible for Indians planning to immigrate to countries abroad.
While there are more benefits to shifting than negatives, candidates should be prepared to adapt to new societal norms, languages, and customs and be open and flexible in their approach when looking to immigrate to a new country. Let us take a look at the list of the best countries to immigrate from India
Also Read: 10 Practical Tips for International Students to Manage Culture shock
10 Best Countries to Immigrate from India
In this section, we are going to be talking about the best countries to immigrate from India.
- Germany
- Singapore
- Denmark
- New Zealand (NZ)
- Australia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- United Kingdom (UK)
- Ireland
- Canada
- Malaysia
The USA is also considered to be one of the top countries
Also Read: Top Countries to Study Abroad for Working Professionals in 2026
Check out what makes the above countries stand out when it comes to immigrating from India.
Germany
One of most recognised countries in European Union, Germany has seen steady rise in number of Indians present within country. Germany boasts of stable economy and provides ample employment opportunities in STEM and skilled trade. When we talk about studying in Germany - higher education across public universities is provided free of cost and curriculum has been designed to foster research and development to create forward-thinking individuals. Watch out: Individuals looking to migrate to Germany would be required to learn German. They would also need to have strong qualifications and German language skills to dent the job market in Germany.
Singapore
Voted among the best countries for Expat stay, Singapore is world-famous for its clean, efficient infrastructure and state-of-the-art transportation system. This global financial powerhouse of a country also offers an excellent education system to international students looking to study in Singapore. The country’s proximity to India is also a major pull for most Indians looking to go abroad and yet stay ‘close’ to India. Watch out: Singapore is one of the most expensive cities to live in, and hence, careful financial planning is a must.
Denmark
Offering balanced and fulfilling lifestyle - Denmark has been consistently ranked high in happiness index and quality of life indicators. Renowned for its progressive social policies and strong social safety net - Denmark fosters equality and inclusivity - making it one of top destinations for Indians to migrate. When we talk about universities in Denmark, country is upcoming study-abroad destination among Indians and international students. The cost of living in Denmark is high due to high taxes in place.
New Zealand
Indians looking to get away from hustle of busy life can move to New Zealand. Home to stunning landscapes and strong sense of community, New Zealand provides residents with relaxed lifestyle by its friendliness and inclusivity. The country provides citizens with world-class healthcare and is one of popular destinations for Indians looking to study in New Zealand. The country also has a stable economy with primary jobs in New Zealand in fields of agriculture, tourism and renewable energy.
Australia
Home to some of the top universities in the world, Australia is renowned for providing residents with a laid-back lifestyle, stunning beaches and a diverse economy. One of the most after destinations for studying and migration, Australia is a country with promising career. Mining, agriculture and tourism are some of most flourishing sectors in country and Australian government prioritises skilled professionals - offering immigration pathways catering to various specialities. Read- Cost of Living in Australia
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Away from glitz and glamour - United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides world-class infrastructure, modern amenities and luxurious lifestyle. With proximity to India, UAE provides thriving business environment - attracting entrepreneurs and investors alike. UAE is also home to popular universities and its proximity makes it major destination for Indian students looking to study abroad.
United Kingdom (UK)
Brexit, the high cost of living and unstable government have often brought the wrong attention to the United Kingdom. However, UK continues to be one of strong destinations for Indian students looking to study abroad. The two-year post-study work visa in UK is major draw for Indian students looking to study abroad. Indians looking to migrate to UK will get chance to immerse themselves in wealth of historical and cultural experiences - from ancient castles to vibrant cities.
Ireland
Home to technology giants, Ireland has become major destination among Indians looking to migrate to country. Rich in beautiful landscapes, culture and history, Ireland is one of few countries where English is widely spoken. Hence Indians are not required to learn any native language to function. When we talk about studying in Ireland, country is home to top universities that offer plethora of courses for students looking to study abroad. There is also Irish post-study work permit that allows graduates to stay and look for job in country for period of up to 2 years after completion of their full-time post-graduate course in country. The country also has competitive job market. Read: Cost of Living in Ireland for International Students
Canada
One of most sought-after destinations for Indians looking to migrate to countries abroad - Canada is often described as land of opportunities. Home to Canada's top universities, this country is renowned for its welcoming immigration policies, multicultural society and robust economy. Canada is also known for its strong job market offering promising career prospects for qualified individuals in engineering, education, healthcare and technology.
Malaysia
Home to a large number of Indians, Malaysia is a developing country that presents ample opportunities in different sectors, attracting skilled professionals and investors. Another upcoming study abroad destination among Indians looking to study abroad is that the low cost of living in Malaysia is a major incentive for students scouting for study abroad destinations. Proximity to India also provides Indian students with sense of closeness to their home country - making Malaysia one of preferred destinations for migration. Watch out- English is not widely spoken and since Malaysia is still under developing category - it might not feel at par with developed countries.
Best Countries to Live in 2026
In this section, we have listed the top 10 countries to live in 2026 - a list sourced from Forbes. The indices used to list out these countries are - healthcare, cost of living, infrastructure, climate and visas, to name a few - basically a combination of statistics and lived experience.
| Best Countries to Live in 2026 |
Forbes: Best Countries to Live in 2026 Rankings |
| Greece |
#1 |
| Panama |
#2 |
| Costa Rica |
#3 |
| Portugal |
#4 |
| Mexico |
#5 |
| Italy |
#6 |
| France |
#7 |
| Spain |
#8 |
| Thailand |
#9 |
| Malaysia |
#10 |
Note that while Forbes rankings present the list of top countries to live based on the expat report, the list of the "best countries to immigrate from India" - the first list presented in this article, is curated by keeping Indians in mind by focusing on the language, ease of visa, high earning potential, an established Indian community and more.
Related Read:
Factors Determining the Best Countries to Immigrate from India
Several key factors, such as quality of living, cost of living, available employment and education, serve as major deciding factors when it comes to determining the best countries to immigrate from India. These are:
- Easy Immigration and Visa Policies: Countries that offer transparent visa policies, point-based or employer-sponsored immigration systems and easy transition to PR and citizenship options are most favoured by Indians.
- Post-Study Work Opportunities: Some countries provide 1-2 years of post-study work permits, which ease the process of switching from the student visa to a work visa.
- Family-Friendliness: Policies that allow for family reunification and provide benefits for the families of expatriates are also a significant draw.
- Cultural Connection: A pre-existing vibrant Indian community in the host country helps newcomers feel at home by providing access to familiar cultural practices, festivals, and cuisine. Hence, for these reasons, Canada mostly remains on the priority of Indians as the country hosts one of the largest Indian communities in a foreign land.
Also Read: Safest Countries for Indian Students to Study Abroad in 2026
Candidates looking to study abroad can get in touch with our Shiksha study abroad counsellors for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with Shiksha counselling services on the website.
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