The UK government plans to review the Graduate Route visa, which offers international students a post-study work option for two years. Former home secretary Priti Patel enforced the visa in July 2021, after it was announced in September 2019. Indian nationals have received 42 percent of the 176,000 visas granted since the enforcement of the policy. Any potential changes to this visa category could significantly impact Indian students.
During a virtual media briefing, MAC Chair Professor Brian Bell mentioned that while he couldn’t specify what aspects the Home Office would ask them to review, there are various options on the table. Currently, there are no specific restrictions on how students should spend the two years, causing concerns that individuals with financial means may choose to remain inactive in the UK.
Moreover, Professor Bell suggests that authorities can consider imposing restrictions on the types of jobs or activities students can engage in during this period. In the annual report, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) raised questions about the purpose of the graduate route. If the goal is to attract highly skilled graduates for positions requiring minimal skills, there is scepticism about the initiative’s contribution to the existing Skilled Worker pathway, where graduates can easily make the transition.
The MAC predicts that low-wage labourers may occupy a significant portion of the Graduate Route, necessitating the government clarifying the programme’s intended purpose. Furthermore, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced stringent measures to reduce overall immigration numbers in the country. These developments indicate a broader policy context that could influence the future direction of the Graduate Route visa.
