The UK Home Secretary recently announced a review of the Graduate Route, aiming to prevent abuse and safeguard the integrity of the UK’s higher education system. James Cleverly highlighted international students’ inclusion in the government’s commitment to “robust action”, part of a comprehensive five-point immigration plan outlined in the House of Commons.
Although the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a net migration of 672,000 in June, lower than December 2022, the minister stressed that this figure remains unacceptably high. The post-Brexit introduction of a point-based immigration system reflects the government’s deliberate selection of individuals entering the UK.
As part of the five-point plan, several measures have been introduced:
- Dependents of international workers are no longer permitted to enter the UK, coupled with an increase in the annual immigration health surcharge.
- The skilled worker salary threshold has risen by one-third to £38,700, exempting the health sector.
- A review of the list aims to eliminate the affordable overseas labour rule, which previously allowed a 20% lower payment for in-demand jobs.
- The monthly minimum income for family visas has increased to £38,700 from £18,600.
- The Migration Advisory Committee has been tasked with reviewing the Graduate Route.
Cleverly emphasised the need for immigration policy to be fair, consistent, legal, and sustainable. The sector advocates for the exclusion of international students from migration statistics due to their historically low rates of overstaying permission, despite the record-setting net migration of 745,000 in 2022.
Addressing loopholes, the government announced plans in May 2023 to close a loophole that enables students to switch to work visas before completing their studies. The Graduate Route, introduced to provide a two-year post-study work visa for international students graduating in the 2020–21 academic year, received widespread support from the sector, highlighting the mutual benefits for both the education sector and international students.
