For decades, the dream of Punjab’s youth was synonymous with migration. Canada, Australia, the US and the UK were seen as destinations of opportunity, with long queues at passport offices and visa consultancies becoming part of the state’s landscape. But 2025 has delivered a twist that has left policymakers and families alike questioning the future of this exodus. Punjab has recorded the sharpest decline in passport applications in years. While the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government celebrates it as the beginning of “reverse migration,” experts warn the dip is more closely linked to tightening migration norms worldwide.
According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs, Punjab received an average of 1,978 passport applications per day between January and June 2025. A total of 3.5 lakh passports were issued in the first half of the year. If the current pace continues, the state will end 2025 with about 7.5 lakh applications — the lowest figure in four years. The Mann government sees this as proof that its employment-driven policies are convincing the youth to stay back.
Chief Minister Mann has highlighted over 50,000 government jobs filled without corruption, major private investments under ‘Invest Punjab,’ and NRI-friendly initiatives like grievance redressal desks as evidence of a shift. “When the state offers dignity and opportunities, the need to migrate automatically reduces,” the government argues.
But immigration experts paint a different picture. They point to the global clampdown on visas and anti-immigration protests being held has particularly hit Punjabis. Canada, the most sought-after destination, has rejected nearly 80 percent of study visa applications in recent months while capping international student intake. Australia has raised financial requirements and tightened post-study work rules. The US has stepped up deportations, and the UK has barred dependents from accompanying international students on most courses.
“This fall in passport numbers is less about reverse migration and more about closed doors abroad,” said a Mohali-based immigration consultant, wishing not to be named. “Students are not giving up on migration — they’re simply stuck in limbo”, he added.
For many, that limbo is real. “I had plans to move to Canada this year for my master’s,” said Jasleen Kaur, a 22-year-old student from Jalandhar. “But with the high rejection rates and new rules, my family is reconsidering. I’m now exploring options in Germany or New Zealand.”
Sukhpal Singh, another immigration agent, said while traditional destinations tighten entry, Germany has reported a rise in Indian student intake, thanks to its tuition-free public universities and demand for skilled workers. New Zealand, too, is witnessing an increase in inquiries from Punjab, as its education system is actively seeking international students after pandemic-era declines. Even Italy and Ireland are emerging as fallback choices.
He said, for Punjab, the dip in passports reflects a complex reality: a blend of domestic opportunity and global restriction.
Experts say it is premature to call it a true “reverse migration.” If international policies ease, the demand could rebound sharply. But if the state sustains job creation and restores faith in governance, the government’s “Watan Wapsi” narrative may yet gather momentum. “For now, Punjab stands at a crossroads — its youth torn between renewed opportunities at home and uncertain pathways abroad”, they added.
