Living and working in foreign countries is rapidly losing the charm of Indian citizens. There are several reasons for that. More than 17 million Indians already live and work abroad.
Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and, to some extent, Portugal are classified as the main favorites among Indians for living and working. However, the strictest visa rules in most countries make it almost impossible for highly qualified Indians to find work and work there.
If you are an Indian and you want to live and work abroad, here is my list of emerging destinations and the best countries to live and work.
7 best countries to live and work for Indians
The list of countries below offers excellent opportunities for Indian citizens. In addition, some countries are relaxing their visa regulations for Indians to ensure that more people from this country reach their shores to work.
1. State of Qatar
With a Gross National Income (GNI) of US $ 116,799, Qatar ranks first on my list of the best countries to live and work for Indians.
There are other reasons to classify it in No-1. India and Qatar traditionally enjoy excellent bilateral relations in all sectors. In fact, the largest community of residents in Qatar consists of expatriate Indians.
Around 700,000 Indians work and live in Qatar and represent a quarter of the population of the Arabian Gulf nation. Since 2017, the government of Qatar has been relaxing the rules of visit, business and work visas for Indian citizens.
Qatar Airways operates direct flights between Doha and a dozen Indian cities.
While Qatar welcomes Indian citizens to work, finding a job in this prosperous state is not easy. Arabization policies ensure that all major jobs are for highly qualified Qatari citizens.
The cost of living in Qatar is quite high. However, expatriate Indians can expect a good salary if they find the right employer.
Qatar is a very progressive Arab nation. Therefore, it has an ultramodern infrastructure. The Qataris are kind and welcome the Indians.
2. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates remains a major destination for Indians who want to live and work abroad since the Gulf boom of the 1970s and 1980s.
At that time, Indian workers of all kinds would go to seek fortune in Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. The migration to the United Arab Emirates or specifically to Dubai was mainly due to the jobs created by the oil industry and its consequent prosperity.
While Dubai remains the main favorite among the Indians, the UAE as a whole is one of the best countries to work and live.
The reason? The UAE is made up of seven different emirates: Abu Dhabi, its capital, Dubai, the financial center, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
While Dubai and Abu Dhabi are world-class cities, the Emirati government is now focusing on the development of five of the emirates where infrastructure and other facilities are updated. This is generating many jobs for the Indians.
The UAE encourages Indians with all the skills to come and participate in the development of the country. In addition, the UAE also issues visit, business and work visas to Indians quite easily.
The country has a great Indian diaspora that makes life there a pleasure. There is no shortage of entertainment avenues. Salary scales compare well with those in Europe and the US. UU., If you have the right skills.
3. Kingdom of Belgium
Belgium is a wonderful country and a member state of the European Union. It is strategically located near the Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxembourg. The Belgian port city, Antwerpen has an important bag of diamonds that serves the world.
The capital, Brussels, is the seat of the European Union, the EU Parliament, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and several other international organizations.
Currently, more than 7,000 people of Indian origin live and work in Belgium. They constitute the third largest number of migrant workers, with the first two positions taken by the Dutch and the French, respectively.
Obtaining a work visa to Belgium is not very easy. The country must comply with the laws of the European Union and the Schengen Treaty when hiring foreign workers from non-EU countries.
However, Belgium is a very liberal society. Therefore, Indians would generally feel welcome here. Belgium also allows Indian expatriate workers to seek nationality by meeting certain standards.
The euro is the official currency of Belgium. Living in Belgium is relatively cheap compared to its neighbors Germany and France.
4. Republic of Singapore
The small island state, Singapore, is popular among Indians as a tourist destination. At the same time, Singapore is also one of the best countries to live and work for Indians.
Singapore shares the title of business center of the Far East of Asia along with Hong Kong. Therefore, there is no shortage of jobs for Indians in Singapore.
Indians have been part of Singapore's society for centuries. In fact, the name of Singapore itself has its origins in two Sanskrit words "singha" or lion and "pure" or city.
Therefore, the Indians will feel at home in Singapore. Singapore's climate is also somewhat similar to that of the tropical Indian coast.
Singapore is not exactly liberal with work visas for Indian citizens. However, if you have the right qualifications and skills, it is quite easy to get an excellent job in this island nation.
The cost of living is quite high, but so are the salaries. Singapore has world class facilities. The suburb of Singapore Geylang is home to most expatriate Indians, although most are from the state of Tamil Nadu.
5. Federative Republic of Brazil
Until recently, going to Brazil was a distant dream for any Indian. It is true that it involves two long flights, including a transit. At the end of 2019, the Brazilian government began extending visa service upon arrival for Indian citizens.
That is because India is a member of the BRICS community of five nations. And the country wants to welcome the Indians who have the right skills to help develop their various sectors.
According to the Indian diplomatic mission in Sao Paulo, there are around 9,500 people of Indian origin in Brazil. Most of them reside in Sao Paulo, which is also the financial center of all of South America.
In addition, several Indian companies, especially in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, are opening operations in Brazil. This would make the number of Indians who work and live in Brazil shoot more than the current figure.
Brazil is a multiracial, multi-ethnic and liberal country like India. In fact, most Brazilians would think you are their compatriot due to the color and appearance of the skin.
Brazilians are warm and welcoming. Therefore, I would enjoy the stay in Brazil. The cost of living in Brazil is not so high unless you want to calculate your expense in Indian rupees. The Brazilian real reaches a good price against the US dollar.
6. Negara Brunei Darussalam
Negara Brunei Darussalam or simply Brunei, ranks as the third richest country in Asia. People in Brunei enjoy excellent lifestyles. The country code Darussalam means "home of peace." And yes, Brunei Darussalam is really peaceful.
This is partly because Brunei Darussalam implements the strict Islamic law: Sharia. And secondly because the people of Brunei Darussalam are fun and friendly.
Actually, Brunei Darussalam has a small population of almost half a million inhabitants. Among these there are about 10,000 expatriate Indians.
Since the country has a small indigenous population, it relies heavily on migrant labor to manage some of its main sectors.
Internet technology and computer science, medicine and advanced engineering are some skills that will be useful if you want to find a job in Brunei Darussalam.
Salaries in Brunei Darussalam for expatriate Indians are extremely high. The Brunei Ringitt or the Brunei Dollar also achieves a very attractive exchange rate against the US Dollar and other global currencies.
The cost of living in Brunei Darussalam compares well with other Asian nations. Therefore, you can save a lot of money.
7. Republic of South Africa
Indians are not strangers in South Africa. In fact, they have been living in South Africa long before Mahatma Gandhi's highly publicized tour and the launch of the nonviolence movement.
The Indian expatriate community in those days was mainly merchants and merchants. However, all that is changing rapidly today.
On the one hand, South Africa is a member of the BRICS. And several parts of South Africa are in various stages of development.
While there is no shortage of skilled labor in South Africa, the country depends on India to provide experts in various fields, such as IT and medical care, among others.
Personally, I would classify South Africa as one of the best countries to live and work for Indians. Most South Africans are friendly and have similar traits, such as Indians. This is one of the best countries to live, since it is a multiracial country.
Therefore, you will not feel like a strange person while in South Africa. The nation's currency, Rand, is quite strong, while the cost of living is very affordable.
South Africa has several multinational companies (MNCs) that operate from its territory for decades. Therefore, you can find a job here easily. The country is extremely beautiful and a delight for nature lovers.
Working abroad loses charm
These seven are the best countries to live and work for the Indians for several reasons. The charm of living and working abroad is now fading for most Indians.
- Traditional favorites such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have considerable populations of Indian migrants. Therefore, they are reluctant to issue work visas for Indians. You may find it difficult to get a job and a work visa as an Indian citizen.
- Most multinational companies now operate in India in various sectors. They offer salaries comparable to those in the US. UU. And Europe or other countries. Therefore, highly qualified Indians prefer to work and live in India rather than abroad.
- India is an active partner in the global war on terror. Therefore, Indians are at greater risk of being attacked by terrorists abroad. There are incidents where Indians have been terrorist targets. Extremist groups also target Indians in several countries.
- Western countries are trying to cope with the flood of migrants from war-torn parts of the world, such as Iraq and Syria, among other places. Therefore, they no longer receive Indian workers unless it is absolutely necessary for a company.
- Giant economies around the world are trying to reduce unemployment figures in their own countries. Therefore, they focus on giving jobs to their citizens instead of allowing migrant workers.
Given these and other reasons, most Indian workers, especially those with higher qualifications and experience avoid living and working abroad, unless absolutely necessary.
Wrap
There could be any reason why you want to live and work abroad as an Indian. If that is your case, consider these seven countries where you can find excellent jobs with relative ease.
It makes no sense to try to find work in countries that are already overcrowded with migrants seeking work. In addition, many nations are also tightening the rules for granting their citizenship to people of foreign origin.
The same applies to Indians too. Therefore, your dreams of acquiring foreign citizenship may not come true so easily. The best country to live and work for the Indians are those in which they will not face many problems.