Foreign Students Visa Extension - 3 Things You Need to Know

Whilst it’s inarguable that Brexit has exacerbated social divides in the UK and reinforced the animosity felt by immigrants, the government's decision to revise Theresa May’s restrictive guidelines facing students who want to stay and work in the UK after graduating have been extremely well-received.

Universities have welcomed this announcement, with new plans drawn out to offer extended post-study work visas for international graduates having earned rave reviews from those in the higher education sector.

With this in mind, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening and how it will impact on your studies:

1. What was the Previous Policy?

Laid out during Theresa May’s controversial immigration policy during her time as the Home Secretary, the previous policy allowed graduates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees to look for work for a period of just four months.

This was considered to be extremely detrimental to the skilled workforce in the UK, whilst it was also indicative of a government mantra that often sought to demonize and target immigrants from overseas.

Whilst a subsequent White Paper subsequently sought to increase this period for six months, there remained a huge disconnect between the expectations of those in higher education and the details of the government’s policy.

2. So What’s New with the Most Recent Proposal?

Under the new proposal, newly qualified foreign graduates will be able to remain in the UK for up to two years whilst looking for work, so long as they hold a tier 4 student visa and have successfully completed a degree from a higher education provider in Britain.

Not only this, but there will also be no limit on the number of students who can apply for the new graduate route, and this represents a major departure from the government’s previous policy.

Students on this scheme will also be able to switch to the skilled work route if they find a job that meets specific requirements, but for exact advice on your circumstances you should liaise with expert immigration lawyers before proceeding.

3. What has Inspired the Change?

In truth, there has been a drive to reform the initial policy ever since the government announced it, particularly from employers and those who work in higher education.

The need to relax the rules was deemed as pressing, amid significant concerns that the UK would experience significant skills gaps in the event that foreign students were forced to return to their country of origin or elsewhere in the EU.

The government has also chosen to soften its approach to certain types of immigration, with those who are pursuing higher education and professional qualifications treated more leniently due to their ability to contribute to the economy.