Saudi Arabia has launched an innovative educational visa program designed for international students interested in pursuing their studies in the Middle East.
The objective of this initiative is to streamline the admission process for prospective students looking for educational opportunities in Saudi Arabia, as reported by VisaGuide.World.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) jointly announced the “Study in Saudi Arabia” visa program.
This unique initiative, specifically tailored for international students wishing to further their academic pursuits in Saudi universities, aims to simplify the visa application process.
New Visa Platform Offering a Range of Educational Programs for International Students
Local media sources elaborate that this platform not only simplifies the application process but also provides a wide array of educational opportunities, from short-term courses to comprehensive academic programs, promoting accessibility and inclusivity in education.
Furthermore, this program encourages academic and cultural exchange, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s steadfast commitment to enhancing its education sector and attracting talented individuals in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.
Significantly, Saudi Arabia aspires to position itself as the fifth most preferred destination for Indian students, offering attractive scholarships and substantial financial aid tailored to international students.
Between 2017 and 2022, more than 1.3 million Indian students pursued higher education abroad, with 1,324,954 students traveling overseas for academic purposes in 2022 alone, according to data disclosed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The top destinations for Indian students during this period included:
- United States (465,791)
- Canada (183,310)
- United Arab Emirates (164,000)
- Australia (100,009)
- United Kingdom (55,465)
Moreover, a significant number of Indian students also chose to study in Qatar (46,000), Oman (39,550), the Philippines (15,000), and the Russian Federation (18,039).
India’s Significant Contribution to Education in Canada, USA, Australia & UK
An analysis conducted by RedSeer Strategy Consultants in 2021 highlighted the rapid growth of Indian students studying abroad, reaching nearly 800,000 by 2019, with projections indicating a potential doubling to 1.8 million students by 2024. Concurrently, the total expenditure on overseas education is forecasted to increase to between US$75-85 billion by the same year.
This anticipated surge in Indian students pursuing education abroad builds upon the substantial growth observed before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. India has emerged as a key contributor to major destination countries like Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK, solidifying its position as a primary source of international students globally.