Career plans of former international students on UK graduate work visas have been derailed after the government increased the minimum salary workers need to secure a visa to stay in the country.
International graduates from UK universities are currently eligible to stay and work in the country for two years under the graduate route visa, introduced in 2021, which does not require employer sponsorship.
If they find a company to sponsor them during this time, they can then apply for the skilled worker visa and remain in the UK – something some international students plan for from the outset when deciding where to study and many of those currently on the graduate route may have been hoping for.
In December, the government increased the amount of money a foreign worker must earn in order to be eligible for a skilled worker visa from £26,200 to £38,000.
