Graduate Visa Changes in the UK: What You Need to Know

The UK’s Department of Education have received a backlash from the UK Home Office officials regarding the plans of government to reduce immigration in the country. This situation has stirred a heated debate across the country, both among individuals, higher education institutions, governmental departments and immigration policy advocates. At the centre of this debate is the future of international graduates looking to extend their stay and work in the UK upon the completion of their degree. 

What does the graduate visa route offer to international students? 

After its introduction in 2021, the Graduate Visa Route allows international graduates to stay in the UK for no more than 2 years after completing their degree in the UK. Significantly, it enables them to work at any level and in any industry without the need for a sponsored visa or a minimum wage.  
   
According to The Financial Times, the number of international students increased quickly because of the graduate visa route, rising from less than 10,000 in 2020 to over 110,000 in 2023. The data also shows that international students who obtain a UK graduate visa have higher chances of working in care and leisure compared to their British counterparts. 

Why is it now under review? 

There are concerns about high immigration levels, which have led the UK Home Office to propose new measures to address the causes behind the UK’s long-standing dependence on international recruitment.  
Changes to the graduate visa route are expected to be a major part of the white paper that Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to publish next month, outlining the government’s plan to lower net migration to Britain. This action is a part of an attempt to address public concerns regarding the visa system. 

The Numbers behind the policy 

The Migration Advisory Committee conducted research that revealed that in 2024, over 60% of individuals with a graduate visa did not earn up to £30,000 after 12 months, which is less than the graduate-level salary scheme. In addition to this, the UK Home Office noticed 40,000 increases in asylum claims in 2024, which had come from individuals who had previously held a UK visa. Approximately 40% of these individuals were on a student visa. In contrast, 35,000 asylum petitions were filed by individuals who arrived in Britain in small boats last year, showing that the system is being mismanaged. 

The points of contention 

There’s been a major difference in opinion between the Home Office and the Department for Education. In an extraordinary move, Home Office officials have accused the education department in private of attempting to use Universities UK, the primary sector lobby group, to stop the proposed changes.   
Insiders in the education department are concerned about potential restrictions on graduate visas, according to sources. Vivienne Stern, the chief executive of Universities UK, a lobby group for the sector, stretched that a single cohort of international students contributes £40 billion to the UK economy annually, and so cutting back on the route may be unrealistic given the financial strain on institutions.  

Concerns from the education sector 

While the Migration Advisory Committee found that the route was not being abused, they recommended tighter controls for international agents who are mis-selling UK university courses. The education sector is concerned that because of the new reform, not only will there be a large decrease in the international enrolment, but students genuinely looking to study in the UK will be unfairly penalised. 
The Home Office’s efforts to limit the graduate visa route are based on two sets of data. The first reveals a high number of international students transitioning from university to low-paid jobs, such as social care, while the second indicates that tens of thousands have switched from study visas to asylum. 

What Could Happen Next? 

What could happen next will be dependent on the publication of the migration white paper and political negotiation. To ensure that immigration is no longer exploited at the expense of domestic talent, the Home Office and the Department for Education are working together closely to adopt an evidence-based strategy that links immigration policy to education and skills. 

Conclusion 

If you are already a student in the UK or you are looking to study in the UK, it is important to stay updated on policy updates. The graduate visa route is still active, and any future updates will aim to support fairness, economic balance, and the value of international education. For more updated information, follow us on social media at StudyNowUK.