Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UK tightens student visa rules, but Graduate Route remains unchanged

Regarding the Graduate Route, the Home Office acknowledged the Migration Advisory Committee’s recent warning that rogue recruitment agents jeopardise the system.

UK tightens student visa rules, but Graduate Route remains unchanged

The Graduate Route scheme, favoured by Indian students for post-study work, will remain unaffected for now. The government announced on Thursday that the scheme will be kept “under review” as it introduced proposals to tighten student visas to prevent them from being used as a “gateway to immigration”.

These measures come in response to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealing a 10 per cent decrease in net migration, a statistic prime minister Rishi Sunak welcomed on the first official day of his campaign for a general election set for July 4. Reducing migration, both legal and illegal, ranks high among Sunak's priorities.


“Since I became prime minister, net migration has fallen by 10 per cent. The plan is working. Let's stick with it,” he said.

The Home Office highlighted that the ONS figures do not encompass the stricter visa rules on family dependents implemented earlier this year, resulting in a 25 per cent reduction in visa applications since their enforcement.

In addition to these measures, the government intends to regulate the recruitment of international students by “cracking down on rogue recruitment agents.” Universities will be required to adhere to a "rigorous framework for agents."

New compliance standards for institutions recruiting students from overseas will be introduced. Universities that admit international students who subsequently fail visa checks, enrolment, or course completion risk losing their sponsor licence.

"Applications are already dwindling, but we must intensify our efforts to ensure our immigration routes aren't exploited. That's why we are clamping down on rogue international agents and building on government-wide initiatives to ensure international students come here to study, not work,” said Home Secretary James Cleverly.

Regarding the Graduate Route, the Home Office acknowledged the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) recent warning that rogue recruitment agents jeopardise the system. These agents exploit student and graduate visa holders through "mis-selling" UK higher education. Given that migrants on the student route transition directly to the Graduate Route, immediate action is imperative. The Home Office further noted that the scheme is not attracting the “highest earners who contribute to our economy” based on analysis from the tax department.

"New proposals will strengthen the oversight of student visas, ensuring only genuine students can enter the UK; the Graduate Route will remain under review,” stated the Home Office. This implies that the route is secure at least until the election, after which a newly elected government will determine its future.

“We are absolutely delighted and greatly relieved that the UK government has made the right decision to retain the Graduate Route as it is crucial for Indian students. We are also pleased that the focus will shift to regulating agents,” said Sanam Arora, Chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK.

Among other proposed measures, financial maintenance requirements will be heightened, necessitating international students to demonstrate their financial self-sufficiency. The government is reassessing English language assessments to standardise independent evaluations, ensuring all international students possess the necessary skills to comprehend their course materials. Restrictions on remote delivery will guarantee that overseas students primarily undertake face-to-face courses, according to the Home Office.

These proposals form part of the Sunak-led government's overarching strategy to reduce legal migration, which it claims would have prevented 300,000 arrivals last year under its new regulations.

(PTI)

More For You

modi-bjp-reuters

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

Modi's BJP wins Delhi assembly election after 27 years

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that "development had won" as his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in Delhi’s local elections, ending a 27-year gap since it last controlled the capital’s legislature.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after Delhi’s former chief minister, a key opposition leader, conceded defeat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less