The Graduate Visa Scheme, which allows foreign students to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their studies, will remain effective, according to local media in the UK.
Prior to this, it was reported that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to reduce or scrap the graduate visa route over high figures of net migration, VisaGuide.World reports.
As explained by Sky News, the policy in question will remain in force following appeals from Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and Home Secretary James Cleverly.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has bowed to pressure from some of his senior cabinet colleagues over proposed changes to the graduate visa scheme.
It was further reported that the government will also announce more measures this week along with the publication of the recent net migration numbers. According to the same source, these measures will include stricter regulations on agents promoting British degree courses abroad and requiring some international students to take mandatory English tests.
Graduate Visa Should Remain Effective, MAC Says
In an earlier statement, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has also recommended that the Graduate Visa route should remain in force.
According to MAC estimates, the risk of abuse through this scheme was low and did not compromise the integrity and quality of the UK higher education system.
The report further noted that under the current funding, the graduate scheme helps universities offer more courses while also covering losses on domestic students and research.
Universities lose money on teaching domestic students and on research activities, and it is the fee revenue from international students that mitigates (at least in part) the current funding gap for domestic students and research.
According to MAC, this route also supports the government’s international Education Strategy.
Graduate Visa Allows Students to Remain in UK for 2 Years
The UK’s graduate visa allows foreign students to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their studies in this country, as noted on the government’s official website.
To qualify for this visa, candidates must currently hold a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, among other things.
Although the Graduate visa cannot be extended, individuals under this visa can switch to another visa category, such as the Skilled Worker visa.