UK government backtracks on Graduate Route visa changes.
Facing significant backlash, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has abandoned plans to reduce the coveted Graduate Route visa programme after interventions from senior cabinet colleagues. The initial proposal aimed to lower migration by limiting the two-year post-study work visa but faced roadblocks.
According to reports, Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly flagged concerns about the financial repercussions for universities and the UK economy if international student numbers declined. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, too, dissented, given visas’ importance.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt pointed out that restrictive measures could negatively impact the education sector and overall growth. Their objections led 10 Downing Street to reconsider more modest reforms instead of radical changes.
Graduate Route visas are highly popular among overseas graduates, especially Indians, who comprise over 40% of total visas. However, aHowever, applications saw a downward trend owing to uncertainty.
MAC review findings noted that the top five nationalities cornered three-fourths of visas, with Indian nationals’ proportion higher than their student visa share. This year, the TK granted 114,000 such visas, mainly to Indians, Nigerians, Chinese, and Pakistanis.
Targeting agents promoting graduate schemes abroad, including in India, the original proposal aimed for electoral gains on the immigration issue ahead of 2025 polls. However, the pressure within compelled a government to rethink to balance priorities.
