Visa Rules Disrupt Study Abroad, Leverage Edu Steps In

As visa crackdowns and diplomatic disputes reshape global education routes, India’s Leverage Edu is stepping in to help students keep their overseas dreams alive. Where once students looked mainly to Canada or Australia, today many are pivoting to Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and even Nigeria.

This flexibility is paying off. The startup has doubled revenue, turned profitable, and is expanding fast across new international markets.

Visa Hurdles Shake Up Study Abroad Plans

Over the past year, students across emerging markets have faced significant uncertainty with college admissions. Stricter visa policies in Canada and Australia, coupled with tensions between India and countries like the U.S. and Canada, have disrupted thousands of student applications.

For example:

The India-Canada standoff in 2023–2024 froze timelines for many students.
Changes in U.S. immigration rules and tariffs created confusion for Indian applicants.
Even experienced consultants in traditional markets have struggled to adjust.

Against this backdrop, Leverage Edu has become a lifeline. Its platform helps students quickly find alternate destinations and avoid wasted years of waiting.

How Leverage Responded to Diplomatic Tensions

When India-Canada relations soured, Leverage quickly rerouted students to Germany. It also helped Canadian universities tap into Nigeria’s student pool, keeping enrollment flowing on both sides.

The same strategy is now in play with India-U.S. strains. While demand for U.S. colleges has slowed in India, interest remains high in places like Brazil and Vietnam. Leverage is bridging that gap by connecting universities with students from multiple countries.

This ability to pivot fast has become central to its growth model.

Expanding Global Footprint

In just two months, Leverage has expanded into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, and Malaysia. These are markets with rising demand for overseas education but limited structured support.

Today, Leverage operates in 16 source markets and helps students apply to universities in 11 destination countries. Its largest placements are in the U.K. (52%) and Germany (22%), while Italy has emerged as a fast-rising favorite in 2025.

Interestingly, North America, once the top dream destination, now accounts for under 5% of placements due to visa crackdowns. However, the company expects this to grow again through Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East channels.

More Than Admissions: A Full-Stack Student Platform

Headquartered in Noida, India’s tech hub, Leverage has grown beyond a counseling service. It now positions itself as a full-service international education platform, offering:

Leverage Edu App – mobile-first experience for applications.
AI-powered course search – personalized recommendations.
UniConnect matchmaking tool – live student-university interactions.
Univalley.ai SaaS suite – helping universities manage global admissions.

The company has also branched into related services:

Leverage MBBS for medical students.
Fly Finance for education loans and money transfers.
Fly Homes for student housing.
Leverage Careers & Compass for internships and first jobs abroad.

Together, these services make Leverage a one-stop shop for study abroad in 2025.

Rapid Student Growth and Organic Demand

Leverage now places 10,000+ students annually, up from 1,500 just a few years ago. Much of this comes through organic demand, with nearly 60% of students acquired at zero customer acquisition cost.

Within India, the startup draws heavily from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab — states with long traditions of sending students overseas.

Financial Growth: Profitable and Scaling Fast

Unlike many Indian edtech startups, Leverage has broken into profitability.

FY 2025 revenue: ₹1.8 billion (~$20M), double from FY 2024.
FY 2026 (April–Sept): Already ₹2 billion (~$23M) in six months.
Full FY 2026: Projected ₹3.7–3.8 billion (~$45M).

Profits have flipped dramatically:

FY 2025: ₹800M loss (~$9.5M).
FY 2026: Expected ₹250M profit (~$2.8M), a 256% turnaround.

Revenue split:

75% from core education (placements, counseling).
25% from platform services (loans, remittance, housing, jobs).
Of the core, 55% comes from university commissions, 20% from students.

Global Competition and IPO Plans

Founder and CEO Akshay Chaturvedi says the startup has narrowed the gap with global competitors, many of which are either listed companies or heavily funded.

Leverage has raised under $50 million in equity but now operates across 27 countries, 50+ offices, and employs 800 staff.

Looking ahead, the company is preparing for the next big milestone: a potential India IPO in 2026. Investment bankers have already started pitching.

Chaturvedi has said Leverage will decide between an IPO and external fundraising once it crosses $100M in revenue, expected in 2026.

Study Abroad in 2025 and Beyond

Leverage’s rise highlights how quickly the global education landscape is shifting. With AI in edtech, visa restrictions, and geopolitical tensions, students need flexible solutions more than ever.

The company’s ability to adapt across borders, from rerouting India-to-Canada flows to building student pipelines in Nigeria, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia, shows how cross-border education platforms are becoming the backbone of international admissions.

And for students, it means one thing: even when global politics get messy, their study abroad dreams in 2025 don’t have to end.

Faqs

1. How does Leverage Edu help students with study abroad in 2025?

Leverage Edu guides students in choosing universities, applying, finding housing, securing loans, and even landing jobs. It also uses AI tools to match students with the best courses.

2. What countries does Leverage Edu operate in?

Leverage Edu works in over 27 countries, with a strong presence in India, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, and Nigeria. It helps students apply to universities in 11 popular study destinations.

3. Why are students choosing Germany, Italy, and Saudi Arabia over Canada or Australia?

Due to stricter student visa rules and diplomatic issues in Canada and Australia, many Indian students are moving toward Europe and the Middle East, where opportunities are growing.

4. Is Leverage Edu profitable?

Yes. Unlike many edtech startups, Leverage Edu turned profitable in 2025 and expects even higher profits in 2026 as it scales student placements and expands services.

5. Is Leverage Edu planning an IPO?

Yes. Leverage Edu is considering a public listing in India by 2026 after reaching the $100M revenue milestone.

Visa Crackdowns Disrupt Study Abroad, So India’s Leverage Edu Creates New Opportunities