The Indian government has enacted stricter regulations for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), reclassifying them as foreign nationals and imposing new bureaucratic hurdles for travel, business, and religious activities. OCI holders must now secure special permits to visit sensitive regions and face additional requirements for property transactions, causing concern within the Indian diaspora. Meanwhile, Australia is tightening its international student policies by introducing a National Planning Level cap that limits new enrollments to 270,000 starting January 1, 2025, alongside higher English language requirements for visa applicants. These changes aim to manage migration rates but have raised alarms in the education sector about their potential impact on student numbers, particularly from India. In contrast, the UK and US are actively welcoming international students, with the UK emphasizing their contributions to society and the US proposing legislation to ease residency for STEM graduates. The Australian government’s approach stands in stark contrast to these more inclusive policies, potentially limiting the cultural and economic benefits that international students bring.