Migration of Indians Abroad
A large number of Indians have settled abroad. Table 1 below gives estimated number of Indian community in various countries where the number is more then 100,000. Nature of the occupations of Indians in these countries varies, but it is a firm belief of the authors that most of the Indians in western countries are highly skilled workforce.
Table 1: Estimated Number of Indians in Various Countries (December 2001)
Country |
Estimated Number of Indians |
Australia |
190,000 |
Bahrain |
130,000 |
Canada |
851,000 |
Fiji |
336,829 |
Guyana |
395,350 |
Kenya |
102,500 |
Kuwait |
295,000 |
Malaysia |
1,665,000 |
Mauritius |
715,756 |
Myanmar |
2,902,000 |
Netherlands |
217,000 |
Oman |
312,000 |
Qatar |
131,000 |
Reunion Islands |
220,055 |
Saudi Arabia |
1,500,000 |
Singapore |
307,000 |
South Africa |
1,000,000 |
Suriname |
150,456 |
Trinidad and Tobago |
500,600 |
UAE |
950,000 |
UK |
1,200,000 |
USA |
1,678,765 |
Yemen |
100,900 |
Source: Report of The High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, http://moia.gov.in/shared/linkimages/31.pdf, accessed on Feb 25th 2009.
Immigration to USA
The Table 2 below shows the number of Indian immigrants legally admitted in US by their class of admissions (see Appendix for Australian immigration definitions). Fig 1 shows it graphically.
Table 2: Immigrants Legally Admitted in US by Selected Class of Admission from India (By Birth).
NA – Not Available
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Fig 1: Immigrants Legally Admitted in US by Selected Class of Admission from India (By Birth)
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
As the figure suggests, the largest chunk of Indians settled in the US were granted immigration in the category ‘employment based preferences’ and at times they were more than half of total settlements (as in 2005). Table 3 shows the details of Indian persons naturalized in US according to their major occupation groups till 2002 (the yearbook of immigration statistics does not give this data for subsequent years). If we look at the computer related category for 2002, it is the largest one, around 75% of the total naturalizations. This supports the view that most Indians in western countries are associated with jobs which require high (technical) skills.
Table 3: Indian Persons Naturalized in US by Major Occupation Group
* Includes homemakers, students, unemployed or retired persons, and others not reporting or with an unknown occupation.
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
On the other hand if Indian workers temporarily migrating to the US are considered, their numbers range from more than double those of permanent settlements (as in 1998) to five times as many (2007). Table 4 shows the numbers of Indian workers temporarily migrated to US along with their class of admission. Fig 2 shows it graphically. In the figure, ‘Others’ also include nurses, agriculture workers, industrial trainees and exchange visitors.
Table 4: Non-Immigrants Temporary Worker Admissions from India in US
# Data withheld to limit disclosure
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Fig 2: Indian migrants as Temporary Workers in US
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Table 5: Non-Immigrants Indian Students admitted in US
Year |
No. of Students |
1998 |
25,543 |
1999 |
28,335 |
2000 |
39,795 |
2001 |
48,809 |
2002 |
48,708 |
2003 |
50,884 |
2004 |
51,191 |
2005 |
61,146* |
2006 |
69,790* |
2007 |
88,918* |
~ I-94 Only
* Includes dependents of students and exchange visitors as well
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
As can be seen in Fig 2, specialty groups and intra-company transferees form the major part of the flow. It shows that Indian workers, who migrate to US, are mainly some type of specialists. Table 5 shows the number of non-immigrants Indian students admitted in US. Fig 3 shows various categories of Indians admitted in US, of which, we can see that largest part is formed by temporary workers.
Fig 3: Various Categories of Indians Admitted in US
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Immigration to Australia
Another country where large numbers of Indians migrate is Australia. Table 6 shows the arrival and stock of temporary residents (see Appendix for Australian immigration definitions) and students in Australia.
Table 6: Temporary Residents (Stock) Present in Australia on 30th June and 31st Dec of Corresponding Year*
Year |
Temporary Residents |
Students |
||||
Arrival |
Stock on 30th June |
Stock on 31st Dec |
Arrival |
Stock on 30th June |
Stock on 31st Dec |
|
2003-04 |
7,333 |
4,158 |
4,342 |
12,463 |
6,218 |
8,144 |
2004-05 |
9,311 |
5,446 |
7,544 |
15,876 |
10,983 |
13,652 |
2005-06 |
12,679 |
5,947 |
5,989 |
22,113 |
17,034 |
19,447 |
2006-07 |
16,837 |
7,385 |
8,092 |
36,209 |
23,399 |
27,412 |
2007-08 |
20,879 |
8,722 |
12,726 |
49,865 |
38,734 |
45,312 |
2008 |
- |
11,378 |
- |
63,169 |
- |
- |
* Arrived less than ten years before reference quarter
Source: Immigration Update reports of respective years, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australian Government
Fig 4 shows the arrivals and stock graphically. Here, it can be seen that in case for Australia, more students are immigrating as compared to temporary residents.
Fig 4: Temporary Residents and Students Immigration from India in Australia
Source: Immigration Update reports of respective years, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australian Government
Immigration to Canada
Canada is another country which hosts large number of Indians. Table 7 shows the entry and stock of Indian workers and students as temporary residents in Canada. Fig 5 shows it graphically.
Table 7: Indian Workers and Students as Temporary Residents in Canada
Year |
Temporary Residents |
Students |
||||
Arrival |
Stock on 30th June |
Stock on 31st Dec |
Arrival |
Stock on 30th June |
Stock on 31st Dec |
|
2003-04 |
7,333 |
4,158 |
4,342 |
12,463 |
6,218 |
8,144 |
2004-05 |
9,311 |
5,446 |
7,544 |
15,876 |
10,983 |
13,652 |
2005-06 |
12,679 |
5,947 |
5,989 |
22,113 |
17,034 |
19,447 |
2006-07 |
16,837 |
7,385 |
8,092 |
36,209 |
23,399 |
27,412 |
2007-08 |
20,879 |
8,722 |
12,726 |
49,865 |
38,734 |
45,312 |
2008 |
- |
11,378 |
- |
63,169 |
- |
- |
Source: Immigration Overview 2007, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/index.asp, accessed on March 16th, 2009
Fig 5: Temporary Workers and Students in Canada from India
Source: Immigration Overview 2007, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/index.asp, accessed on March 16th, 2009
Comparison of Migration in USA, Australia and Canada
Figure 6 shows the comparison of Migration of Indian Temporary Workers and Students to USA, Australia and Canada.
Fig 6: Comparison of Migration of Indian Temporary Workers and Students in USA, Australia and Canada
Source: Immigration reports of respective countries
The number of students going to these countries were compared with the estimated out-turn of graduate students in S&T areas (refer section on ‘Stock of Indian S&T manpower’). Table 8 and Fig 7 show this comparison.
Table 8: Out-turn and Migration of Indian Students
Year |
Students Migrated (US, Aus, Canada) |
Estimated Indian S&T Graduate Out-turn |
Migration Out-turn Ratio (%) |
1998 |
26,045 |
11,24,829 |
2.315463 |
1999 |
29,065 |
11,87,622 |
2.447328 |
2000 |
40,709 |
12,81,830 |
3.175851 |
2001 |
50,097 |
13,61,641 |
3.679162 |
2002 |
50,844 |
14,27,423 |
3.561943 |
2003 |
65,840 |
15,42,549 |
4.268261 |
2004 |
68,890 |
16,73,519 |
4.116475 |
2005 |
85,515 |
17,67,969 |
4.836907 |
2006 |
1,08,745 |
18,17,296 |
5.983892 |
2007 |
1,41,475 |
19,21,230 |
7.363771 |
Source: (i) Immigration reports of respective countries
(ii) Section on ‘Stock of Indian S&T Manpower
Fig 7: Out-turn and Migration for Indian Students
Source: (i) Immigration reports of respective countries
(ii) Section on ‘Stock of Indian S&T Manpower’
It can be observed that percentage of students going to these countries for higher studies has increased over the years.
Appendix – Definitions of Immigration Terms for USA, Australia and Canada
U.S.A. Immigration Important Definitions (Taken from Glossary of U.S. Immigration Definitions, http://www.usafis.org/us-immigration/glossary-definitions.asp/, Accessed on March 16th, 2009)
Alien: Any person who is not a United States citizen. In other words, a non-citizen. Permanent residents are also aliens (they are, however, considered legal aliens).
Admission: Admission is defined as legal entry into the United States of America as approved by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP).
Immigrant Visa: A visa intended for a person who wishes to permanently stay in the United States. In order to receive an immigrant visa a person needs to meet certain requirements, usually in the area of family ties or employment.
I-94: At the port of entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP) issues a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Card) stating both the legal status and the duration for which you are permitted to remain in the United States.
Intra-Company Transferee Visa (L-1): The L-1 Visa is intended to allow multi-national corporations the opportunity to transfer managers and experts to the United States on a temporary basis.
Naturalization: The process through which an alien (non-citizen), becomes a U.S. citizen.
Nonimmigrant Visa: A visa intended for people wishing to enter the United States for a temporary period of time. Nonimmigrant visa categories include tourists, businessmen, workers, students, etc.
Specialty Occupation Visa (H-1B): H-1B visas are intended for persons in a specialty occupation, which requires the theoretical and practical application of knowledge obtained with the completion of a specific course of higher education.
Temporary Worker: A temporary worker is a nonimmigrant employee legally permitted to work in the United States for a limited period under certain classifications.
Workers with Extraordinary Ability/ Achievements: (Taken from http://www.uscis.gov/propub/ ProPubVAP.jsp?dockey=d2cb859ca452fa8d31790b9194e6864d/, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, accessed on March 19, 2009)
(A) An O-1 classification applies to:
- An individual alien who has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and who is coming temporarily to the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability; or
- An alien who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in motion picture and/or television productions and who is coming temporarily to the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary achievement.
(B) An O-2 classification applies to an accompanying alien who is coming temporarily to the United States solely to assist in the artistic or athletic performance by an O-1. The O-2 alien must:
- Be an integral part of the actual performances or events and possess critical skills and experience with the O-1 alien that are not of a general nature and which are not possessed by others; or
- In the case of a motion picture or television production, have skills and experience with the O-1 alien which are not of a general nature and which are critical, either based on a pre-existing and longstanding working relationship or, if in connection with a specific production only, because significant production (including pre- and post-production) will take place both inside and outside the United States and the continuing participation of the alien is essential to the successful completion of the production.
Australian Immigration Definitions (Taken from http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/ glossary/ , accessed on March 17th, 2009)
Australia allows three types of temporary entries. The three main categories of Temporary Entry are:
Students: Non-permanent entrants to Australia whose visa is for a specific period and for the purpose of undertaking formal or non-formal study.
Temporary Residents: These include working holiday makers, long term temporary business entrants and other persons intending to work or temporarily reside in Australia. These types of temporary resident visas are granted on the basis of there being an economic, social, cultural or sporting benefit to Australia. Initial stay in Australia is generally for more than 3 months but not more than 4 years.
Visitors: Non-permanent entrants to Australia whose visa is for tourism, short stay business, visiting relatives or medical treatment.
Canada Immigration Definitions(Taken from Immigration Overview 2007, Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
Canada defines four mutually exclusive groups of temporary residents: foreign workers, foreign students, individuals in the humanitarian population and other temporary residents. Temporary residents are regrouped according to our determination of their “yearly status”—the main reason for which they have been authorized to enter and stay temporarily in Canada during each year of observation.
Foreign workers are those other than Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who enter Canada solely or primarily for work and have obtained a work permit from CIC to legally perform such activities. A temporary resident is reported as foreign worker if his or her main reason for staying in the country relates to employment whether or not this person is also holder of other permits (e.g. a study permit).
Similarly, foreign students are in Canada primarily to study, although they too may have other permits.
Individuals in the humanitarian population are primarily refugee claimants, but this group also includes other foreign nationals allowed to remain in Canada on humanitarian or compassionate grounds under “special considerations." These other humanitarian cases include a small number of individuals who have never filed a refugee claim but who were processed under special programs established to handle refugee-like cases.
The fourth group — other temporary resident — is comprised of individuals who do not fit into any of the other categories. This group is not profiled in this publication.
Entries for temporary residents are defined as follows: those arriving for the first time as temporary residents (“Initial Entries”) as distinct from those who are deemed to have left the country and subsequently returned in a different year (“Re-entries”) whether in the same or a different category of temporary resident.
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