ICMPD is supporting the European Union in the European Legal Gateway Office in India. The new project was launched yesterday to facilitate the mobility of Indian ICT professionals, students, and researchers to the EU; strengthen the India-EU cooperation; and as well as to enable economic benefits for both India and Europe. Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen led the launch, with ICMPD Director General Susanne Raab.
Implemented under the framework of the Migration Partnerships Facility (MPF), the European Legal Gateway Office operates through three interconnected components.
- The Gateway Office in India serves as the operational hub engaging directly with students, professionals, and institutions, connecting Indian talent with European opportunities.
- A Support Office in Brussels, working closely with EU Member States, employers, and higher education institutions to mobilise demand and strengthen institutional cooperation.
- A Digital Tool providing information on mobility pathways; and guidance on ICT job opportunities, visa procedures, qualification requirements, and country-specific information. Together, these components transform mobility from a complex process into a transparent and accessible pathway.
Economic cooperation is now increasingly shaped by the movement of knowledge, skills, and talent globally. We are proud to support the EU in implementing this new project, designed to facilitate safe, legal, and well-informed migration and mobility between India and EU Member States. It will providing clear and reliable information on mobility pathways for Indian students, researchers, and professionals; and facilitate mutual benefits for and between the EU and India. This project will also assist European employers and higher education institutions to engage effectively with Indian talent, helping match skills with opportunities through transparent and accessible channels.Ms Raab said at the launch event in New Delhi yesterday
Joining Director General Raab at the event were Deputy Director General Sedef Dearing, Silk Routes Head of Region Marija Raus, and ICMPD India Head of Office Surabhi Singh.
The project builds on the partnership between India and the EU, by offering a practical mechanism to improve access to trusted information on mobility pathways, reduce reliance on untrustworthy sources, promote ethical recruitment practices, and enhance the safety and well-being of Indian workers abroad.
It aligns with India’s priorities to expand global opportunities for skilled and highly valued ICT workforce, foster circular migration, and strengthen cooperation with the EU and EU Member States. The country is home to 75 per cent of global digital talent, with 5.8 million ICT workers; and produces 2.5M STEM graduates annually.
For the EU, the project contributes directly to the EU Digital Decade target of 20 million ICT specialists by 2030, helping address structural shortages that currently affect nearly two-thirds of European companies. At the moment, there is a lack of a unified, recognisable entry points for international tech talent (unlike the US’s H-1B or Canada Express Entry).
Since 2016, ICMPD has been supporting dialogue and initiatives under the framework of the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM). The project focused on operationalising the objectives through activities in support of Strengthening legal migration pathways along the EU-India corridor, and reinforcing institutional capacity and improving awareness of irregular migration and its risks.
