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After completing my master's, should I plan to return to India or look for PR abroad in UK/Australia?

27 Jul 2026 · Answered by Smitha Satish S · 1 min read
Smitha Satish S
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It depends on your career goals and personal preferences.

If you want international work experience or permanent residency (PR), both the UK and Australia offer post-study work visas (PSW) after a master's. Australia generally has clearer PR pathways for graduates, while the UK does not offer a direct route from the PSW to permanent residency.

- UK: PSW (Graduate Visa) is currently 2 years, reducing to 18 months from January 2027. No direct PR pathway; long-term stay usually requires employer sponsorship or other visa routes.
- Australia: PSW (Temporary Graduate Visa) is typically 3 years for master's graduates, with options to transition to PR if you meet skilled migration criteria.

Returning to India with a foreign master's can improve job prospects, especially with multinational employers, but salaries and opportunities may differ from those abroad.

Consider your long-term career, financial plans, and family ties.

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