There was relief among campaigners over the UK government’s decision to retain the Graduate Route visa for overseas students as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a stark new set of measures to crack down on the country’s rapidly soaring net migration figures.
The route, led by Indians who consider work experience at the end of their degrees as a crucial pull factor in their choice of an international university, has been truncated by six months to allow students 18 months to pursue their post-study work options. But with numbers of Indian students already registering a fall, the retention of the route will come as welcome news for universities relying on overseas student fees for their financial security.
The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK said: “While we are relieved that the Graduate Route has been preserved — albeit with a reduced duration — we urge that its implementation, and that of the wider reforms, be approached with care, clarity, and collaboration. Getting this right will shape the UK’s standing as a top destination for global talent in the years ahead.
“We are concerned about the impact on Indian students — the largest users of the Graduate Route. For 70 per cent of Indian students, a strong post-study work offer is the single most important factor in deciding where to study abroad. The ability to gain significant international work experience is critical.”
According to the ‘Immigration White Paper’ detailed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in the House of Commons this week, its “radical” steps will reshape the UK’s immigration system towards those who contribute most to economic growth, with higher skills standards for graduates and workers.
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Among the key action points, include:
Raising Skilled Worker threshold: Lifting the level for skilled workers back to Graduate level) and above, with salary thresholds set to rise.
Adult social care: Closing social care visas to new applications from abroad. For a transition period until 2028, while the workforce strategy is being developed and rolled out, we will permit visa extensions and in-country switching for those already here.
Growth: Increasing places for research interns, making it easier for top scientific and design talent to use the Global Talent visa, and reviewing the Innovator Founder visa and High Potential Individual route to maximise their benefit to the UK economy.
English language: Introducing new language requirements across a broader range of immigration routes, for both main applicants and their dependants, to ensure a better knowledge of English, including an assessment of improvements over time.
Earned settlement and citizenship: Doubling the standard qualifying period for settlement to 10 years and expanding the points-based system to both settlement and citizenship rules.
Starmer said: “Make no mistake, this plan means migration will fall. That is a promise.”
