UK Visa Rules: Impact on Foreign Graduates

The recent changes to the UK visa rules have sent shockwaves through the international student community, particularly those who had planned to stay and work in the country after completing their studies. The government's decision to increase the minimum salary requirement for skilled worker visas from £26,200 to £38,000 has left many graduates worried about their future plans.

Derailing Career Plans

The impact of these changes is already being felt, with companies like HSBC and Deloitte retracting job offers to foreign graduates in the UK. This has left many students who had invested in their education in the UK facing uncertainty about their career prospects. According to Tripti Maheshwari, director and co-founder of Student Circus, which helps international students find jobs in the UK, hundreds of students have expressed concerns about how the new rules may affect their future plans.

Understanding the Graduate Route

The Graduate Route visa, introduced in 2021, allows international students to stay and work in the UK for two years without the need for employer sponsorship. This route was designed to enhance the offer to international students who choose to study in the UK. However, the recent changes to the salary threshold have made it more challenging for graduates to secure jobs and switch to the skilled worker visa route.

Also Read: Digital Nomad Visas: Your Ticket to Work and Wander – Best Options for Nigerians

Challenges in Job Search

Research from the Higher Education Policy Institute found that only 3% of employers had used the Graduate Route visa, and more than half weren't even aware of its existence. This lack of understanding about the visa route and the challenges in securing jobs have made it difficult for international students to find employment in the UK.

Government Review

The UK government has announced a review of the Graduate Route visa, set to be delivered in September 2024, focused on preventing "abuse" of the visa. However, this review has raised concerns that the new policies will undermine efforts to educate businesses about employing international graduates. Sanam Arora, founder and chairperson of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK, expressed concerns that the new policies will make it harder for graduates to switch to the skilled worker visa route.

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Conclusion

The recent changes to the UK visa rules have significant implications for foreign graduates who had planned to stay and work in the country. The increased salary threshold and the withdrawal of job offers by companies like HSBC and Deloitte have left many students facing uncertainty about their career prospects. As the government reviews the Graduate Route visa, it is crucial that they consider the impact of these changes on international students and take steps to ensure that the visa route remains an attractive option for those who choose to study in the UK.

What do you think about the recent changes to the UK visa rules? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Citations:

International graduates' plans derailed by skilled worker visa change 

Solving the challenge of International students, UK Jobsearch and Visas ...

Latest News & Videos, Photos about salary threshold 

Stay in the UK after you graduate - Study UK - British Council