UK Graduate Route Cut to 18 Months Under Immigration Overhaul
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The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive immigration white paper, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that the popular Graduate Route visa will be shortened from two years to 18 months. The reform is part of a broader agenda aimed at tightening immigration controls and reducing net migration.
Previously, the Graduate Route allowed international students to remain in the UK for up to two years after completing their studies. Under the new policy, this post-study work entitlement will be reduced to 18 months. While there had been speculation that the route might be restricted to specific job sectors, the current proposals stop short of such a measure. However, the white paper indicates that future reforms will “strengthen the requirements to work and contribute.”
The government also signalled the potential introduction of a levy on higher education institutions that benefit financially from international student enrolments. Tentatively set at 6%, the levy would be reinvested into the UK’s skills and education systems, with further details expected in the Autumn budget.
In a move to raise institutional accountability, the white paper outlines new compliance thresholds for universities sponsoring international students. To retain their sponsor licences, institutions will be required to maintain a 95% enrolment rate and a 90% course completion rate. A new “Red-Amber-Green” (RAG) rating system will be introduced to monitor performance, with sanctions for underperforming providers.
Additional reforms include tighter English language requirements. For the first time, adult dependants of visa holders must prove their language proficiency — beginning at A1 level and progressing to B2 for those seeking settlement. Meanwhile, the language requirement for skilled worker visas will increase from B1 to B2.
The short-term English language study visa route is also under review, following concerns over misuse. Accreditation bodies overseeing such programmes will face heightened scrutiny to ensure legitimacy and oversight.
Starmer underscored the government’s intent to balance migration reduction with support for skills development. “Lower net migration, higher skills and backing British workers – that is what this white paper will deliver,” he stated.
The UK saw a 20% decline in net migration in the year ending June 2024. With these reforms, the government aims to build on that momentum, signalling a significant policy shift with wide-reaching implications for international students, universities, and the education sector at large.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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