When it comes to global skilled migration flows, India continues to sit on top. It is the top source of US H-1B visas, the second for UK skilled worker visas and EU Blue cards.

But the nature of the dominance is shifting, says new data from Deel’s Global Talent Map. International hiring is now driven not by cost arbitrage but intense global competition for scarce skills.

The analysis, which spans 40,000-plus companies across 150-plus countries, shows that visa holders earn more than locals in comparable roles across major markets, underscoring that global hiring today is driven by skill scarcity, not wage savings.

In the US, H-1B workers earn a median of $140,000 compared to $130,000 for citizens in similar roles. In the UK, skilled worker visa holders earn £96,000 versus £87,000 for UK nationals. In the UAE, Golden Visa holders earn 605,000 AED compared to 459,000 AED for standard employment visa holders.

Australia recorded the fastest growth in hiring Indian talent, followed by the UK and the US. The UAE remains the top destination for Indian professionals globally, followed by Singapore, the UK, the US, and Canada.

The report also points to early signs of reverse migration.

GCPL has launched ‘Pride in Manufacturing’, a practical toolkit designed to help organisations build safer, more equitable and inclusive manufacturing workplaces for LGBTQIA+ employees. Developed in partnership with inclusion consultancy Transformis, the toolkit provides actionable guidance on inclusive hiring, workplace infrastructure, employee sensitisation, leadership accountability and fostering a culture of belonging on factory floors.

The initiative stems from the recognition that while LGBTQIA+ inclusion has gained visibility in corporate India, manufacturing workplaces have largely remained outside the conversation. About 45.4 million people in India identify as LGBTQIA+, but 34 per cent cite personal safety concerns as a barrier to being open about their identity at work.

Published on June 22, 2026