The UK government has confirmed it will keep the UK Graduate Route Visa unchanged, providing relief for Indian and international students. Hence, it is welcome news for many graduates hoping to gain work experience in the UK after completing their studies.
About the UK Graduate Route Visa
The UK government introduced the UK Graduate Route Visa in 2021 as part of the UK’s post-Brexit immigration strategy. It aims to attract talented graduates from around the world. Moreover, it allows graduates to work in the UK for up to two years (or three years for PhD holders). Also, it is a pathway to gaining valuable professional experience.
The UK Graduate Route Visa has become popular among Indian students, who form one of the largest groups of the UK’s international students. For instance, in the 2022-2023 academic year, Indian students comprised 26 percent of all students outside the EU. Furthermore, the number of Indian students increased to 145,650 in the last five years.
However, recent events suggested the government might tighten visa policies due to rising immigration concerns. As a result, this created uncertainty among students planning to pursue higher education in the UK.
Visa to remain unchanged
Despite these speculations, the UK government recently confirmed that the Graduate Route Visa will remain unchanged. They shared the news during the third India-UK Achievers Honors event at London’s House of Lords.
Officials emphasized their commitment to supporting international students and their contributions to the UK economy. This decision is part of the government’s broader strategy to keep the UK an attractive destination for global talent.
“India is an absolute priority for developing stronger relationships,” said Sir Steve Smith, the UK government’s International Education Champion.
“India is seen as a superpower, and everyone recognizes that Indian students are phenomenal,” emphasized Lord Karan Bilimoria, President of UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). “Indian alumni are leading globally, including at the World Bank and beyond.”
Positive impact on Indian students
For Indian students, this announcement brings significant relief. Many rely on the Graduate Route visa to gain international work experience and recover their education expenses. In recent months, concerns had grown about stricter immigration policies. Earlier this year, applications from Indian students reportedly saw a 23% drop.
The Labour Party has been making changes in the UK’s International Education Strategy, amid immigration concerns. Despite this, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) had pushed for the government to keep the visa.
In May, the UK government proposed to enforce stricter rules for UK universities’ recruitment process. This included tighter compliance standards, increased financial maintenance, along with standardized English language assessments.
A new restriction prohibits student dependents to accompany international students, causing a drop in visa applications. In the first seven months of 2024, visa applications for main applicants and dependents went down by 35 percent.
The decision to keep the UK Graduate Route Visa unchanged may help reverse this trend. By maintaining post-study work opportunities, the UK government aims to reassure prospective students from India. Universities and educational consultants expect this will restore confidence and increase student enrollments in the coming years.
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