Rishi Sunak reverses course on graduate visa restrictions following opposition from the cabinet

Rishi Sunak abandons proposed graduate visa restrictions due to opposition from cabinet members, marking a significant reversal in policy direction.

The prime minister seems likely to abandon plans for a significant crackdown on graduate visas, which allow international students to work in the UK for up to two years post-graduation, due to strong opposition from cabinet colleagues.

Rishi Sunak had contemplated restricting or eliminating the graduate visa program to reduce migration figures, but he is now expected to pursue more moderate reforms aimed at closing loopholes and preventing abuse of the immigration system.

One potential measure being considered involves tightening regulations on recruitment agents promoting British degree courses abroad, with penalties for failure to deliver promised students, as reported by the Financial Times.

According to reports from The Sun, foreign students utilizing the graduate visa pathway in the UK may soon be required to undergo mandatory English testing. The same source indicates that universities and colleges with elevated dropout rates could risk losing their authorization to recruit overseas students.

Rishi Sunak, influenced by interventions from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Home Secretary James Cleverly, and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, stepped back from more radical proposals to restrict the visa scheme. They argued that such measures could have adverse effects on universities and the economy.

An official announcement regarding these proposed reforms is anticipated to coincide with the publication of the Office for National Statistics' quarterly net migration figures, which are anticipated to remain high.

Indian students and alumni in the UK have advocated for the retention of graduate visas, dismissing claims that they serve merely as "Deliveroo visas" facilitating access to low-wage jobs in the gig economy. The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) has urged the Prime Minister to recognize the critical importance of the graduate visa pathway in maintaining the UK's appeal as a destination for international students.

Sanam Arora, Chair of NISAU, emphasized, "The best will go where the best offer is, and any deterioration of the graduate route will significantly diminish the UK's appeal." India sends a substantial number of students to study in the UK, with over 40% of all graduate visas attributed to them. Arora criticized the notion of reducing young people's hard work to "Deliveroo visas," highlighting that international students and graduates are typically diligent individuals who have made significant financial investments in their UK education, often through expensive educational loans. 

They seek meaningful work experience as a return on their investment, which they view as a fundamental opportunity.

One proposal under review involved restricting graduate visas to the 24 research-focused Russell Group universities, with potential considerations to shorten the visa duration. Vice-chancellors from over 20 northern universities, including non-Russell Group institutions, urged Sunak to heed the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations to retain the graduate visa program intact, citing a lack of evidence of widespread misuse. The letter emphasizes the detrimental impact on universities across the north of England if the graduate visa route is curtailed or eliminated, highlighting its significant contribution to the regional economy. 

A government spokesperson stated that while they aim to attract top talent to UK universities, they also prioritize safeguarding the immigration system against exploitation, indicating a forthcoming response to the Migration Advisory Committee's findings.

Source: theguardian