The UK’s Graduate Route scheme, popular among Indian students for its post-study work opportunities, remains secure for now. The government announced on Thursday that the scheme will be kept “under review” as part of a broader crackdown on student visas to prevent their misuse as a “gateway to immigration.”
This announcement follows the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealing a 10 percent fall in net migration, a development welcomed by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the first day of his general election campaign scheduled for July 4. Reducing both legal and illegal migration is a key priority for Sunak as he seeks electoral support.
“Since I became Prime Minister, net migration has fallen by 10 percent. The plan is working. Let’s stick with it,” Sunak declared.
The Home Office noted that the recent ONS figures do not reflect the impact of stricter visa rules on family dependents, which were implemented earlier this year and have led to a 25 percent drop in visa applications.
As part of further measures, the Home Office plans to regulate the recruitment of international students by cracking down on “rogue recruitment agents” and enforcing a stringent framework for agents. Universities recruiting international students will face tougher compliance standards, risking their sponsor licenses if students fail visa checks or do not complete their courses.
“Applications are already falling sharply… but we must go further to ensure our immigration routes aren’t abused,” said UK Home Secretary James Cleverly, emphasizing the need to crack down on rogue agents and ensure that international students come to the UK primarily for education, not work.
Regarding the Graduate Route, the Home Office acknowledged concerns from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) about rogue agents exploiting the system. The Home Office expressed worry that the scheme is not attracting the “highest earners who contribute to our economy,” based on tax department analysis.
The Graduate Route will be kept under review, implying it is secure until the election, when the newly elected government will decide its future. Sanam Arora, Chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, welcomed the decision, highlighting the route’s importance for Indian students.
Additional measures include raising financial maintenance requirements for international students to prove financial self-sufficiency and reviewing English language assessments to standardize them. Restrictions on remote delivery will ensure overseas students primarily engage in face-to-face courses. These proposals are part of the Sunak-led government’s strategy to reduce legal migration, potentially preventing 300,000 arrivals under the new rules.
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