Government looking to crack-down on “low-skilled” workers and reducing graduation visas
The UK Immigration White Paper is a very important announcement for universities and international students. As a result the effects of the paper will impact the number of students that apply for universities in the UK.
In the paper, the Labour government announces their plans to reduce the length of time that graduates can remain in the UK from two years to 18 months (for those on courses below PhD level.)
What changes can be expected?
The Times Higher Education says that further details regarding the introduction of a levy will be announced in the autumn budget. The levy would be placed upon higher education provider income from international students and the paper says it would be “reinvested into the higher education and skills system.”
The introduction of a new English language requirement can also be expected. Level A1 (Basic User) will be asked of all “adult dependants” of workers and students. The paper says the government “will work towards increasing this requirement over time.”
For students, the required course enrolment rate will be raised from 90% to 95%, and course completion rate from 85% to 90%.
The future of the student visa system
The UK’s student visa system is said to be “undermined” according to the paper. Similar to previous allegations that suggested students were claiming loans without the intention to pay them back, the paper suggests that some students come to the UK to use studying as an excuse to move to the UK. As shown in this quote from the paper, “it is also essential that any individual that our country welcomes here to study is genuinely here to do so and is not using their application for a student visa simply as a vehicle to move themselves and their dependants to a new life in Britain”.
The Times Higher Education says that the number of people receiving student visas in 2019 rose from 269,000 to 498,000 in 2023. Of the number of asylum claims for visa holders, 47% have been students.
“Low-skilled” workers
The government has stated that they are looking to enforce heavier restrictions on what they call “low-skilled” workers. However, the paper says it will go “further in ensuring that the very highly skilled have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent”.
