Graduate visas could be at risk of changes that would limit employment opportunities for international students. These alleged changes will be announced in the government’s upcoming white paper. 

The graduate visa enables international students to remain in the UK for employment after having completed their university degree. It is valid for up to two years, or three years if their achieved qualification is a PhD or other doctoral degree. During this time visa-holders may work within the UK without the requirement of having a sponsor.  

A source told The Times that the government is considering implementing a graduate salary threshold for visa-holders. Brian Bell, the chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), has suggested that the graduate salary level could be defined as between £36,000 and £40,000 a year. However a government source has since stated that the threshold would not be set as high as that. According to a report by MAC, the current Graduate Visa scheme would need to be amended to push students who “may be working at a level below their experience and training.”  

One student who recently went through the application process who wishes to remain anonymous shared their experience on the matter having been successful. They explained that the process was difficult with endless “lingo and links.” However, they saw the programme as a great way for students to stay in the country and “enjoy life, maybe even carve out a spot for yourself.” The work scheme enables people to work, requiring them to pay tax and towards healthcare, however without accessing benefits: “so we aren’t getting anything in return financially.” 

Their advice for students looking to apply for a Graduate Visa was: “Read carefully through the government website for information about the application and trust what you’re reading. It’s important to take it exactly how you’re reading it and to not overthink it.” They also encouraged students to start saving for it as it is a “costly experience,” comprised of an application fee of £822 and an annual follow-up fee of £1,035 as medical surcharge expenses.   

In 2023, 114 000 Graduate Visas were issued, with an additional 30 000 for dependents. However, last year restrictions were introduced to limit dependents’ applications. According to the latest figures from the Home Office, there were 417 000 grants of an extension for work to main applicants, primarily driven by the ‘Graduate’, ‘Health and Care Worker’, and the ‘Skilled Worker’ visa programmes. These programmes make up the majority of employment-based immigration to the UK. 

In response to the proposed policy the general secretary of University and College Union (UCU), Jo Grady has said: “This threat to further restrict international students’ ability to live and work in the UK when higher education is already on its knees, is bad for the sector, bad for the economy, and bad for our standing in the world.” UCU has urged the Labour government to protect international students. 

The UEA offered a comment on the matter: “We work with other members of the Universities UK (UUK) to help international students thrive at UK Universities and to inform government when they are shaping policy or reviewing visas.  An example of this is when the government instigated a rapid review of the Graduate visa in 2024.  The conclusion was that it should remain and that the governments International Education Strategy remains extremely important.  International students make a huge contribution to our rich and diverse University community and our wider region. We would make those points to Government in any consultation on any proposed visa changes.” 

A white paper on immigration is to be published soon with further details. The UK’s Home Office has commented that the upcoming immigration white paper is intended “to restore order to our broken immigration system.” They also stated that they would “not getting into a running commentary on what will be contained in the white paper.”