Urge Keir Starmer to reduce the quantity of graduate visas issued
The think tank Policy Exchange has proposed a significant overhaul of the Graduate Visa scheme for international students in the UK, with a focus on restricting the route to those pursuing postgraduate research degrees. The organisation argues that the current system is being exploited as a "backdoor" for long-term settlement in the UK, rather than serving its original intent of providing temporary work opportunities after graduation.
According to Policy Exchange, the Graduate Visa route is being used as a means for long-term migration, not just temporary post-study work. The visa allows many international students to remain and work in the UK for up to two years post-graduation, leading to easier routes to settlement. They believe that the current reforms, which reduce visa duration to 18 months and ban dependants for most courses, do not go far enough to address these issues.
Policy Exchange suggests restricting the visa route mainly to postgraduate research students, who are presumably more aligned with academic contributions rather than migration intentions. They argue that the current system drives migration by those who have no interest in study but instead see the student and graduate visa as an open door to working in the UK.
However, the broader policy debate stresses the Graduate Visa's role in attracting and retaining global talent in the UK economy and academia. The visa, introduced in 2021, is an unsponsored route that does not require a job offer, easing the transition from study to employment. Many users of the route (69%) indicated they would not have stayed in the UK without it, suggesting it is effective in retaining international talent.
The visa supports graduates in gaining UK work experience, which benefits the economy and higher education sector. Shortening the visa duration to 18 months increases pressure on graduates to find suitable employment rapidly, potentially harming their career prospects and the UK's competitiveness for global talent.
As the immigration reforms introduced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to be debated in parliament on Tuesday, the government's own analysis suggests that graduate visas are not effectively driving the UK economy, with more than a fifth of graduate route users being jobseekers. The new tax, likely to be unveiled at this year's Autumn Budget, is another measure being considered to address these concerns.
Zachary Marsh, a researcher at Policy Exchange, has stated that UK universities must return to selling education, not immigration. Meanwhile, EU officials are urging Labour officials to allow European students to pay the same tuition fees as British students. The government is also considering introducing a levy on higher education provider income to be reinvested in higher education and employment. Students at the most research-intensive universities are to be exempt from paying the tax, according to Policy Exchange.
David Goodhart, another researcher at Policy Exchange, claims that the current levels of migration are neither beneficial, short term nor controlled. This sentiment is shared by Labour ministers, who are considering changes to the UK immigration system to improve integration and boost the UK economy.
In light of these debates, it appears that the Graduate Visa scheme for international students is set for significant changes, as both the government and Policy Exchange seek to address concerns about its impact on long-term migration and the economy.
- The Policy Exchange believes that the Graduate Visa scheme, intended for post-graduation work opportunities, has been exploited as a means for long-term migration and not just temporary Work, with the visa allowing many international students to remain and work in the UK for up to two years post-graduation, leading to easier routes to settlement.
- As the General News suggests, the Graduate Visa scheme, a key factor in attracting and retaining global talent in the UK economy and academia, is facing a significant overhaul, with both the Government and Policy Exchange seeking to address concerns related to its impact on long-term migration, economic stability, and education-and-self-development.
