The global race for talent has never been fiercer. Asia is positioning itself as the new epicentre for ambitious students and professionals turned away by an increasingly unwelcoming United States. As the US haemorrhages the talent that has fuelled its innovation for decades, opportunities are opening up for ambitious Asian nations poised to capitalise on the US misstep with open arms and streamlined policies. India, with its booming tech sector and repatriation schemes, is a contender in this race, but it faces challenges.

A federal judge in the US has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to revoke Harvard’s ability to enrol foreign students. The broader picture, however, is clear. With a nearly 50% drop in US student visas for Indians in January 2025, compared to January 2024, many Indian students are looking elsewhere.

Asia is ready to seize the opportunity. According to a recent report by Nikkei, “The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has offered unconditional admission to displaced Harvard students, along with streamlined admissions processes and academic support… The University of Tokyo is considering temporarily accepting displaced students from Harvard if they are affected by the US government’s move to bar them from studying at Harvard.”

Vietnam, a rising tech hub, is easing citizenship laws and offering long-term visas to attract global professionals. In 2022, Techcombank, a leading Vietnamese private bank, held an Overseas Talent........

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