Table of Contents
Author: Pankaj Chowdhury, Tribeni Sonowal
Abstract
With a diaspora of 32 million, Indians stand at the forefront of global migration trends. The internet has transformed into a crucial information source, with more than half of the global population using it. Consequently, search engines have evolved into predictive indicators of various phenomena, such as consumer behaviour, health research, business trends, election outcomes, and more. In this comprehensive study, we are examining the search trends for visa applications across four prominent countries: Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. These nations are recognized as major traditional destinations for Indians seeking migration or travel opportunities. We analyzed Google Trends data from 2019 to 2023 to compare search trends for visa applications across four countries: Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The United Kingdom has the highest search volume, indicating its popularity as a destination for travel and immigration among Indians. The increase in interest in the US Visa suggests the country’s continued appeal as a destination for education, work, and tourism. The decrease in interest in Canada’s Visas could be due to various factors, such as changes in diplomatic relationships & policies or economic conditions. The relatively low search volume for Australia’s Visa suggests that it may not be as popular a destination as the other three countries, but the significant increase in search volume post-COVID indicates a growing interest in the country as a travel and immigration destination. The northern regions of India, including Punjab and Chandigarh, demonstrate significant popularity for visa applications across four countries. In contrast, among South Indian states, excluding Andhra Pradesh, all exhibit substantial demand for visas across the mentioned countries. Furthermore, in the western parts of India, Maharashtra Gujarat, and to some extent Goa, are characterized by high popularity for visa applications across the four countries under consideration. Overall, the increase in search volume for visa applications suggests a positive trend for international travel and immigration, with people looking to explore new destinations and opportunities. Understanding the preferences and interests of Indians regarding migration and travel is crucial for businesses looking to tap into new markets or expand their services. Likewise, policymakers can benefit from insights into the aspirations and concerns of Indian citizens regarding visa applications, enabling them to tailor policies that meet the needs and expectations of potential migrants or travellers.
Download Report
Keywords: migration, google trends, travel, visa, demography
References
[1] Online, E. (2024, January 2). Canada may be losing its shine; study permits for Indians down over 40% since July 2023. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/canada-may-be-losing-its-shine-study-permits-for-indians-down-over-40-since-july-2023/articleshow/106487462.cms
[2] Anirban Bhaumik, & Anirban Bhaumik. (2024, January 29). 1 Indian in every 10 US visa applicants; 60% increase in 2023. Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/1-indian-in-every-10-us-visa-applicants-numbers-shot-up-by-60-in-2023-2869794
[3] Havránek, T., & Zeynalov, A. (2019). Forecasting tourist arrivals: Google Trends meets mixed-frequency data. Tourism Economics, 27(1), 129–148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816619879584
[4] Online, E. (2023, October 24). India leads in acquiring foreign citizenship, remains top country of origin for new migrants. Here’s where. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/india-leads-in-acquiring-foreign-citizenship-remains-top-country-of-origin-for-new-migrants-heres-where-they-are-headed/articleshow/104666155.cms?from=mdr
[5] Immigration: Where are Indians moving and why? (2024, January 7). Moneycontrol. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/immigration/immigration-where-are-indians-moving-why-are-hnis-leaving-india-12011811.html
