Move Abroad From India Without Getting Scammed: A Visa Expert Explains
Watch: India से Abroad और फिर करोड़पति? | Rajiv Arora Podcast | Nationwide Visas | Sarvesh Mishra · ~55 min
Search results for this topic right now are full of stories about wealthy Indians relocating abroad, and a lot of ordinary families are asking the same question in a smaller way: can we go too, and how do we avoid losing our savings? This conversation with Rajiv Arora, founder of Nationwide Immigration Services (Nationwide Visas) — a consultancy he says has operated for 16 years — is mostly about the second half of that question. He sits with Sarvesh Mishra on The Sarvesh Mishra Show.
For the series itself, start at What Is The Sarvesh Mishra Show?
Figures as stated by the guest, including a Canada-only team of 200. Verify independently.
A passport alone is not enough. The countries want quality people.
— Rajiv Arora, The Sarvesh Mishra Show Episode 33
Why so many people want to leave
Arora says motives vary. Some want better education, some a higher income, some cleaner air, and some are tired of food adulteration and corruption. He claims a skilled worker earning around 25,000 to 30,000 rupees a month in India can earn several times that in Canada or Australia, and that a truck driver, carpenter or plumber can earn far more abroad than at home. These are his illustrations. Actual pay depends on the job, province, licence recognition and hours, so treat them as a prompt to research, not a promise.
A passport and savings do not make you eligible
This is the point he repeats most. Eligibility, he explains, is a combination of factors:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Education | Many skilled programmes score degrees, and credentials may need assessment |
| Work experience | Years in a recognised occupation, with an occupation code |
| English ability | Test scores such as IELTS decide points |
| Age | He says roughly 25 to 35 gives the strongest position |
| Financial record | Tax returns and a traceable source of funds |
He adds that having crores in cash does not help if you file no income tax return, because immigration officers want to see a documented financial trail. His practical advice is to build a genuine profile and file returns honestly, which helps with any country you choose.
Why some countries welcome Indians and others push back
Arora argues Western countries sometimes resent large inflows of educated, English-speaking workers who accept long hours, and that this can fuel friction. He says Dubai is more welcoming because it wants workers who follow local rules and help the economy grow. That is his reading of public mood, and others may see it differently.
How visa fraud actually happens
He describes a pattern, not a trick to copy. In India, he says, the immigration consulting business is not tightly regulated, so almost anyone can call themselves an agent. A weak agent may submit files with fabricated income or employer details, and the applicant never checks what was filed. Most such applications are refused, he says, but a minority slip through, and those applicants can land abroad on paper that will not hold up. People who then work on a visitor visa are working illegally and risk detention and deportation. He also mentions some people being pushed toward asylum claims on weak grounds. Treat this as a warning: false claims can end in bans and legal trouble.
He lists dangerous routes too, such as the Panama jungle route to the United States, which cost some families tens of lakhs of rupees. He notes the applicant often knows the route is illegal, and that responsibility sits on both sides.
This section is a warning. Do not file false papers, work on a visitor visa, or use illegal routes. Visa decisions belong to governments. A consultant who guarantees a visa should worry you.
How to spot a genuine immigration consultant
In Canada, immigration advice may only be given by licensed immigration consultants, lawyers or certain notaries. In Australia, advisers register with the migration agents authority. Check the official register before paying anyone.
Arora offers this checklist:
- How long has the company existed, and is it still there under the same name?
- Does it publish real video testimonials, not only typed ones?
- How large is the team, and who is the back office, not just the front desk?
- Does it have specialist teams per country, rather than five people covering six countries?
- Can it show past cases with your occupation, age and education?
- Is it registered, and do its office addresses match its claims?
He adds a blunt red flag: a consultant who guarantees a visa. Visa decisions rest with governments, so a promise of 100 percent success should worry you. He says his own office displays a board saying no visa guarantees are given. One more verifiable step he does not mention: if you are applying for an overseas job through a recruiter, confirm the recruiter’s registration with the Indian government’s emigration portal.
Why consultancies disappear
He says many firms close within two or three years because customers demand guarantees, agents give them, then pile up unresolved cases. Some reopen under new names with the same people behind them, so a young company with a famous-looking website is not proof of anything.
Who can go, and in what order
For skilled workers, he says Canada and Australia have invited health professionals, IT staff and people with local experience. His suggested path for many is to start with the first realistic step, for example a study visa or a work permit, and build toward residence, rather than waiting to skip to the end. Business owners, he says, typically need a net worth of around 4 to 5 crore rupees with a significant amount in documented funds, and he cites a client who bought a business in Alberta. These are his requirements as a consultant, not government minimums, so check official programmes before relying on them.
Who should not go yet
His answer is simple. If you lack skills, will, or a budget, work on those first. Going abroad does not fix any of the three, and the pressure of loans and long shifts can make things worse.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone with an Indian passport move abroad?
Why do tax returns matter for a visa?
How do I check if an immigration consultant is genuine?
Should a consultant promise a visa?
Is a study visa a good first step?
Is Canada unsafe for Indians?
The practical thread is eligibility and paper trail before the brochure: a passport is not an offer letter; a visa guarantee is a red flag; official registers beat a famous website. Guest characterisations should be independently verified against current government rules.
Sarvesh Mishra is an Indian entrepreneur, journalist, interviewer and the host of The Sarvesh Mishra Show. He is the Founder of Red Hot Media House Pvt. Ltd. and CureSoulLife Pvt. Ltd., and the author of Love With Benifit.