Get a graduate-level job or Go home, overseas UK students are advised.. The government intends to address the rising number of migrants by requiring international students to acquire graduate-level employment within two years or face deportation.
Under plans to address Britain’s skyrocketing migration numbers, migrants on student visas will have to have a graduate-level employment within two years of graduating from college or face expulsion.
After graduating from college, international students can stay in the UK for up to two years unemployed. If they find a lower-skilled job and change to a work visa, they can stay longer.
Any overseas student who finishes their course can apply for a graduate visa, which permits a three-year stay for those pursuing a PhD.
The government is now considering raising the bar, though, as sources told the Times that ministers are targeting recent grads who accept positions that don’t offer opportunities for advancement.
According to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), over 150,000 international students are awarded graduate visas to the UK annually, accounting for 10% of all net migration.
Long-term immigration was 728,000 greater than those departing the country, according to official data for the 12 months ending in June of this year.
A third attended Russell Group universities, whereas the majority of international students pursuing graduate degrees finish postgraduate taught courses. Seventy percent of graduate visas were granted to students from China, Pakistan, Nigeria, and India.
In the next weeks, the government is scheduled to release a White Paper on immigration legislation that would include the plans.
Half of those who switched on the graduate visa ended up leaving the country, while 43% went on to a skilled worker visa and 50% left, according to Home Office figures from the previous year.
The others choose student visas or lesser visa programs.
Early in 2022, the government made the decision that care providers earning £21,000 year might apply for a skilled worker visa.
A quarter of those who left the graduate path to the skilled worker visa ended up working in positions paying less than £24,000, while a fifth went on to work as caretakers.
“Given the enormous economic, social, and cultural contribution that international students bring to the UK, both during their studies and in later life, it will be important to carefully review any proposed changes to our points-based immigration system,” stated Universities UK, which represents 142 institutions.
The Home Office stated: “Our next immigration white paper will outline a thorough strategy to mend our dysfunctional immigration system, connecting the immigration, skills, and visa systems to increase our domestic workforce, reduce our dependency on foreign labour, and stimulate economic growth.”
“We will refrain from delving into a detailed analysis of the contents of the white paper.”