UK employers need to better understand the graduate visa route as a valid right to work in the country, stakeholders heard at a APPG for International Students meeting in London this week.
Speakers agreed that the visa route was an attractive opportunity for prospective international students and its reintroduction had been a factor in the country reaching its 600,000 target 10 years ahead of schedule. However, concerns around cost and employers awareness of the route were raised.
“The costs are very prohibitive,” said Simran Harichand, a graduate working at digital marketing agency Hallam. “For international students who already pay higher tuition fees, and can only work 20 hours a week during term time, the expectation for them to have £2,000 to spare the minute they graduate is a bit high.”
