Graduate route to remain unchanged, but the Student route to be reformed

In a recent press release from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), it has been confirmed that the Graduate route will remain unchanged, providing significant relief and continuity for both international graduates and UK employers. This decision aligns with the recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and ensures that employers can continue to hire international UK University graduates without the need for sponsorship.

The Graduate route allows international students who have completed a degree at a UK higher education institution to stay in the UK for at least two years post-graduation (three years for doctoral graduates) to work or look for work in the UK. This policy remains intact, enabling businesses to benefit from a skilled workforce without having to sponsor the graduates from the get-go. If the graduates wish to continue working in the UK after their graduate visa expires, then they must switch to an employment related visa such as the Skilled Worker visa prior to their leave expiring.

Reforms to the Student Route

While the Graduate route remains unchanged, UKVI has announced a series of reforms to the Student route based on the MAC's recommendations.  The following measures will be introduced to the Student Route:

1. Establish a mandatory registration scheme for agents - by Summer 2024 all higher education institutions who use recruitment agents must work within the Agent Quality Framework (AQF).  By early 2025, data monitoring arrangements will be agreed.
2. Compel universities to publish information on the extent to which they use international agents and the number of international students recruited – this is to encourage increased transparency around the use of agents, including money spent on recruitment fees.
3. Introduce a requirement for universities to provide the Home Office with confirmation of the course outcome on the Student route – we will work with the education sector to ensure the appropriate systems are in place to achieve this.

In addition, the following measures will be taken forward:

1. Revised compliance standards. We will review the BCA with a view to increasing the thresholds by Autumn 2024.
2. Raise financial maintenance requirements. We will raise financial maintenance requirements in line with domestic maintenance loans from January 2025. We will also give UKVI additional powers to investigate the provenance of maintenance funds to prevent abuse across all our routes.
3. Review English language standards. We will review with the sector how they assess English Language ability for international students starting in Summer 2024.
4. Ensure face to face teaching is the predominant method of delivery. The remote delivery policy implementation plan will soon be finalised.  We will introduce the policy in September 2024 with full implementation by September 2025.
5. Review franchised providers. We will carry out a rapid consultation this summer to ensure that international students currently at franchised providers are at well-managed institutions which meet the requirements of the Office for Students.

The decision to retain the Graduate route in its current form is a positive outcome for both international students and UK employers, ensuring that the UK remains an attractive destination for global talent. Simultaneously, the changes to the Student route show a strong effort to keep standards high and increase transparency in the UK’s education sector. These updates are designed to protect students and ensure UK universities keep their world-renowned reputation.

If you are affected by any of the above, or would like more information on how to plan ahead, get in touch with the team here at Migrate UK email: info@migrate-uk.com.