The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Saturday listed the first 12 overseas institutions granted Letters of Intent to establish campuses in Indian cities ranging from Ahmedabad to Visakhapatnam. The approvals—covering universities from Australia, the UK, France and Singapore—follow new regulations that allow 100 % foreign ownership, freedom to set tuition, and easier faculty visas.
Unlike earlier ‘twinning’ arrangements confined to joint degrees, the new campuses can award their own qualifications and recruit international students directly. Education-consultancy EY projects that by 2030, up to 15 % of India-bound expatriate families will choose these campuses over sending children abroad, saving corporations an estimated US$8,000 per assignee per year in schooling allowances.
![India approves 12 foreign universities to set up campuses onshore]()
For international universities, staff, and students navigating the visa process that accompanies these new campuses, services such as VisaHQ can streamline applications. The platform’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers up-to-date guidance on work, study and dependent permits, and can coordinate bulk submissions for faculty cohorts, reducing administrative friction for institutions setting up shop in cities like Ahmedabad or Visakhapatnam.
State governments are competing with land-grants and fast-track building permits; Gujarat’s GIFT City has offered a 10-year property-tax holiday for one UK Russell Group entrant. Quality watchdogs warn, however, that if faculty sourcing lags, brand dilution could occur. The UGC says it will undertake biennial audits and may revoke licences for persistent non-compliance.
For global-mobility managers, the development widens educational options for employees relocating to India, potentially shortening assignment cycles because families are more willing to move when children can remain in an internationally recognised system.
Unlike earlier ‘twinning’ arrangements confined to joint degrees, the new campuses can award their own qualifications and recruit international students directly. Education-consultancy EY projects that by 2030, up to 15 % of India-bound expatriate families will choose these campuses over sending children abroad, saving corporations an estimated US$8,000 per assignee per year in schooling allowances.
For international universities, staff, and students navigating the visa process that accompanies these new campuses, services such as VisaHQ can streamline applications. The platform’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers up-to-date guidance on work, study and dependent permits, and can coordinate bulk submissions for faculty cohorts, reducing administrative friction for institutions setting up shop in cities like Ahmedabad or Visakhapatnam.
State governments are competing with land-grants and fast-track building permits; Gujarat’s GIFT City has offered a 10-year property-tax holiday for one UK Russell Group entrant. Quality watchdogs warn, however, that if faculty sourcing lags, brand dilution could occur. The UGC says it will undertake biennial audits and may revoke licences for persistent non-compliance.
For global-mobility managers, the development widens educational options for employees relocating to India, potentially shortening assignment cycles because families are more willing to move when children can remain in an internationally recognised system.
