Islamabad, Apr 11, 2025: The UK government is considering a substantial revision of its graduate visa program, aiming to tighten immigration rules in response to rising net migration figures.
This move has reportedly created friction between the Home Office and the Department for Education.
The new proposals would require international graduates to secure employment in skilled roles to continue staying in the UK after finishing their studies.
The Home Office is reportedly dissatisfied with what it sees as a lack of cooperation from the education sector.
Authorities believe the Department for Education has prompted Universities UK—the primary body representing higher education institutions—to publicly criticize the proposed reforms.
“Our priority is to bring down net migration as directed by the Prime Minister,” a Home Office insider told FT, adding frustration over the education department’s pushback and its role in mobilizing opposition.
The current graduate visa, launched in 2021, permits overseas students to remain in the UK for two years post-graduation, regardless of employment.
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However, findings by the Migration Advisory Committee indicate that more than 60% of students using the route earn below £30,000 after a year—beneath the standard starting salary for graduates.
The education sector, however, warns that tightening the visa rules could financially impact universities that already face budget pressures. Vivienne Stern, head of Universities UK, called the proposed restriction “short-sighted,” emphasizing that international students inject £40 billion annually into the UK economy.
She stressed that the existing two-year period is essential for students to gain work experience and transition into the job market.
To support its stance, the Home Office cited figures from 2024 showing 40,000 asylum applications from individuals who once held UK visas, with nearly 40% previously on student routes.
Some of these, officials claim, involved misuse of visa pathways, with individuals eventually seeking asylum and moving into government-funded housing.
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, plans to unveil a new migration policy white paper soon, with changes to the graduate visa system expected to be a central feature.
A government spokesperson stated that both departments are collaborating to shape policies based on data, ensuring that education and immigration systems support domestic skills development.
Despite the debate, officials reiterated the UK’s commitment to attracting talented international students to its globally renowned universities.
