The home secretary, the UK has declared that “The UK will review the Graduate Route to “prevent abuse” and “protect the integrity and quality of the UK’s outstanding higher education sector”.
James Cleverley said in a speech to the House of Commons, that international students were part of the “robust action” the government has announced through a five-point plan on immigration.
The minister said that the recent ONS figure shows net migration to June reached 672,000 people, a lower figure than December 2022, but it is still “far too high”.
Measures that were announced at the home office UK, included a plan to reduce the number of dependants brought by overseas workers and an increase in the salary threshold migrants need to earn (from £26,200 to £38,700).
In addition, the Home Office also asked the migration advisory committee to review the graduate route.
James Cleverly said that- “The Graduate Route needs to work in the best interests of the UK, supporting the pathway into high-quality jobs for the global talent pool but reducing opportunities for abuse”.
The 5-point plan includes:
- No longer allowing dependants of abroad workers to come to the UK and increasing the annual immigration health surcharge
- Increasing the UK skilled worker salary threshold by one-third to £38,700 (health sector exempt)
- Scrapping cut-price overseas labor rule where 20% lower rates paid to in-shortage occupations UK– review list
- Raising the minimum income for family visas to £38,700 from £18,600
- Asking the Migration Advisory Committee to review the Graduate Route Visa
The government also announced in May 2024 that it would close a loophole allowing students to switch to work visas before their studies have been completed.
The Graduate Route Visa was launched to allow international students graduating in the 2020/21 academic year to access a two-year post-study work visa in UK. It was welcomed emphatically by the sector of stakeholders have been passionately arguing the advantages for both the sector and international students. Stay tuned to AIMS Education to get more updates about UK immigration.
