The most welcoming countries for Indian students in 2026 love having visitors and diversity in their universities and workforces.
From Europe to the Americas and Asia, these countries are well spread across the world. Which means, if you’re from India and thinking of studying abroad, you’ve come to just the right page.
TL;DR? Here’s the summary:
- More than 1.2 million Indian students studied abroad in 2025.
- No country is completely free from racism. However, some destinations have stronger anti-discrimination laws, more multicultural communities, and initiatives designed to tackle racism and support international students.
- Denmark leads our list of most welcoming countries for Indian students. The country has anti-discrimination legislation prohibiting differential treatment based on race and has taken measures to improve how hate crimes are handled.
Not interested in these destinations? Check out our New Zealand, Germany, and Finland country pages.
To know more about studying abroad as an Indian student, head to our guides on the best countries to study abroad for Indian students and the cheapest countries for Indian students to live in.
Denmark is the most welcoming country for Indian students in 2026. Soure: Pexels/Gizem Erol
9 countries most welcoming towards Indian students:
These nine countries rank best for racial equity according to US News & World Report.
Denmark
Denmark tops the list for countries that are the most welcoming towards international students, including those from India. It’s a popular destination for higher education, offering quality education, English-taught programmes, and a welcoming local community.
The country has enacted strong anti-discrimination laws, such as the Act on Ethnic Equal Treatment (Act no. 374 of 2003), that prohibit differential treatment based on race.
The government has also taken steps to improve the handling of hate crimes by strengthening police and prosecution services and enhancing police training in these specific areas.
It’s also one of the happiest nations in the world, ranking 2nd globally in 2025.
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New Zealand
New Zealand is considered one of the best countries in the world for international students. It is praised for its safety, peace, cleanliness, and diverse population.
As such, many international students choose to study in New Zealand — this includes Indian students.
The country is leveraging scholarships, streamlined visa policies and strong post-study work opportunities to attract global talent. A projected 95,000-100,000 students entered the country in late 2024.
The Human Rights Commission launched the country’s first anti-racism campaign. In just a month, they reached four million people, and this number continues to rise.
NZ universities have also made an effort to fight against racism. The University of Waikato, for example, is aiming to become the country’s first anti-racist institute.
In the 2025 World Happiness Report, the Netherlands ranks 5th in the world.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the most welcoming countries for Indian students, and is home to quality education with many job opportunities. In 2024, the country admitted 3,504 Indian students, all studying across top-ranking universities.
Kavana Desai, author at Dutchreview.com, says, “Coming from India, where being overly polite goes a long way, Dutch directness was one of the most refreshing things for me to experience.”
But as blunt as the Dutch are in their mannerisms, they are very tolerant towards outsiders, or non-Dutch people.
Several agencies, such as the Public Prosecution Service and the anti-discrimination services, are involved in the fight against discrimination. The Netherlands has legislation that prohibits direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment) and victimisation.
Finland is most popularly known for being the happiest country in the world.
Finland
Not only is Finland one of the happiest countries in the world, but it is also one of the most welcoming countries for Indian students.
Despite the recent proposed hike in tuition fees, students continue to consider it a preferable option due to the country’s safe, clean, and diverse environment.
The country’s Constitution and the Non-Discrimination Act prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, nationality, and religion. There is a zero-tolerance policy toward racism, making it a safe place for international students.
Additionally, immigration has increased Finland’s diversity in recent years, and many support programmes promote work-related immigration and integration.
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Canada
Aside from its beautiful landscapes, Canada is known for being peaceful, extremely friendly and having a multicultural environment.
While the country has become the second most popular study-abroad destination among Indian students, Canada has also introduced a cap on new study permits and changes in work eligibility. Full-time students will no longer be permitted to work in excess of 20 hours per week.
But despite these changes, the country’s multicultural and welcoming nature allows Indians to feel safe and supported. There are set laws and programmes that protect its people against discrimination, which includes gender, race or ethnicity.
Sourav De is an Indian national who received his PhD from a Taiwanese university and is currently an assistant professor of electrical engineering in Taiwan. Source: Sourav De
Taiwan
For many Indian students, Taiwan stands out as one of the most welcoming and inclusive places to study.
Unlike some countries where racial bias or stereotypes may affect the student experience, Indian students in Taiwan often report feeling safe, respected, and valued.
Locals tend to be friendly and curious about different cultures, making it easier for international students to integrate both on and off campus.
Sourav De, an Assistant Professor at National Tsing Hua University and a former international student in Taiwan, agrees.
“It was difficult making a life for myself in Taiwan as there were not many Indian foreigners at the time,” he says. “ But Taiwan is very friendly towards foreigners. I still remember the strangers who drove me to the supermarket because I didn’t know where it was.”
De’s take on this welcoming attitude he received was not to downplay any racism but to understand that there is a fine line between ignorance and purposefully acting on it.
“Racism comes in different forms, and it is everywhere in the world,” he says. “However, we will need to differentiate racism from curiosity or ignorance. If people want to discriminate against you, they will discriminate against you.”
Singapore
Known as Asia’s most peaceful and safest nation, it is no surprise that Singapore is on the list of the most welcoming countries for Indian students.
In fact, it is considered one of the top and most common study abroad destinations for Indian students.
As a multicultural nation, Singapore is home to many races. Here, Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other communities live side by side. This means that you can still celebrate common festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Eid.
The country also has strict laws against crimes, good public infrastructure, and a high standard of cleanliness.
Because of all this, many Indian students feel that they have a better chance to focus on their studies, build friendships, and maintain their cultural identity without constant worry.
One Quora user shared his experience, “Singapore is a good choice for Indian undergrad students. It offers a liberal, multicultural, and active environment.”
Germany
Germany consistently ranks among the top study abroad destinations for Indian students.
Aside from its high reputation for engineering, technology, and research, the country is known for its welcoming community.
That makes it easier for Indian students to find support, join cultural associations, and build connections as they adapt to life abroad.
With affordable tuition fees and strong post-study employment opportunities, Germany has become a top option for Indian students.
Philippines
The Philippines has become a popular study destination for Indian students. In fact, the country is globally recognised as one of the world’s most welcoming.
According to US News & World Report, the Philippines ranks 19th among the Friendliest Countries in the World.
The country’s affordability, combined with its welcoming community, has made it a popular choice for Indian students looking to study abroad without moving too far away from home.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on August 24, 2026.
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