The United Kingdom government on Wednesday announced a new two-year post-study work visa route for all the international students who have valid UK immigration status as a student.
The move could boost Indian student numbers opting British universities over other country varsities’.
The new ‘Graduate’ route, which will come into effect next year, will be open to all international students who have successfully completed a course of study in any subject at undergraduate level or above at a government-approved UK higher education institution. As mentioned before, the student should also have valid UK immigration status.
Through this visa route, the student will be eligible to work in the UK or look for work in any career or position of their choice, for two years after completing their studies.
The policy has been re-instated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson after former Home Secretary Theresa May effectively ended it nine years ago.
PM Johnson said the change would see students unlock their potential to begin careers in the country.
Indian origin Home Secretary of UK Priti Patel said the new Graduate route will give opportunity to talented international students, whether in science or technology and engineering, to study in the UK and subsequently gain valuable work experience as they go on to build successful careers.
Ensuring to continue attracting the best and brightest, Patel asserted that the latest move would demonstrate country’s global outlook.
The UK witnessed a major dip in students from India after the country ended its two-year post-study work visa offer during May’s term as UK home secretary in 2012.
A report by the UK’s All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students noted:
“The withdrawal of the PSW [post-study work] visa was attributed with a decline in international student recruitment in the UK from key markets, notably India. Between 2010-11 and 2016-17, the number of higher education students from India more than halved.”
Highlighting that Indian students will particularly be prone to make their higher education choices based on being able to gain some work experience at the end of their degree, the university chiefs and representatives widely hailed the move.
Vivienne Stern, Director, Universities UK International, which has been lobbying for such a visa for many years, said:
“Although 82 per cent of our Indian graduates are satisfied with their careers wherever they are working, we know that they value the opportunity to spend some time in the UK working after their degree. This visa will make it significantly easier for them to do that.”
“The UK ranks first for international student satisfaction overall, compared to other major study destinations, but having a more attractive post-study work offer will open the UK up to even more international students. It will also allow employers in all parts of the UK to benefit from access to talented graduates from around the world.”
Over the last three years, Indian students coming to the UK registered a hike.
Sir Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India said:
“I’m delighted that numbers of Indian students coming to study in the UK are constantly increasing, having doubled over the last three years. Last year alone we saw a massive 42 per cent increase. This exciting announcement will help ensure that the UK remains one of the best destinations for students across the world.”
Recently, the UK government initiation of new fast-track visa route for scientists and the removal of the limit on PhD students moving into the skilled work visa route.
However, the more details regarding the new visa will be unveiled in the coming months. The UK government emphasized that the new visa route will also include safeguards to ensure only “genuine, credible students” are eligible.
