The UK’s Graduate Route Visa, which allows international graduate students to live and work for two years after their graduation, is reported to change by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
However, it may face remarkable opposition from its own ministers. Some of the significant names of the opposition to this plan are Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
According to the latest report, it is revealed that the new plan is considering limiting or even eliminating the Graduate Route. Nonetheless, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommends a continuation of the Graduate Route by highlighting the benefits of UK universities.
As stated by the Universities and Business leaders, the restrictions on the post-study opportunities may cause the unattractiveness of the UK universities, especially for Indian students, as they have been the major grantees of this visa since its introduction in 2021.
This significant impact on Indian students, who accounted for 42% of the visas granted between 2021 and 2023, was noted by the MAC Chair Professor Brian Bell. He underlines, “Our evidence suggests that it's Indian students that will be most affected by any restriction on the Graduate Route.”
On the other hand, Vignesh Karthik from the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) stressed these changes and stated, “The uncertainty caused by the review has been chaotic. We urge the government to accept the MAC’s findings and ensure the Graduate Route remains a stable and permanent fixture in the UK’s immigration system.”
One of the close sources of the opposition ministers, quoted in the newspaper, “Sunak is now finding himself caught between the demands of right-wingers with one eye on the Tory leadership and Conservative moderates who fear the consequences of a lurch to the right on the party’s reputation and election chances.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Policy and Campaign Officer for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), John Foster, emphasized the importance of international students, stating, “Studying at university is one of our biggest export successes. Attracting international students boosts local economies and losing competitiveness would put support for undergraduate teaching and innovation at risk.”
The Universities UK (UUK) representing UK universities has exhorted the government to resolve the uncertainties regarding the UK Graduate Route Visa. The UUK’s Chief Executive, Vivienne Stern, stated, “We hope and expect that the government now listens to the advice they have been given and provides categorial reassurance that the Graduate visa is here to stay.”
Last but not least, as the forthcoming UK general elections, the Sunak-led government is prioritizing restrictions on legal and illegal migration, and further policies may subjected to change.
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