The UK sector is still awaiting clarity from government on the scope of its review of the post-study work visa, amid fears the Home Office will seek a “back door” extension so the review threatens the “very existence of the route”, potentially bringing more financial turmoil for universities.
The Home Office announced on 4 December that it was asking the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the graduate visa route – introduced in 2021 and allowing overseas graduates of UK universities to stay in the country for two years after graduation – “to ensure it works in the best interests of the UK and to ensure steps are being taken to prevent abuse”, part of a wider “plan to cut net migration”.
But it appears that debate over the review’s terms of reference is still going on between the key departments – a Home Office set on reducing net migration and a Department for Education that puts more emphasis on the economic benefits of increasing international recruitment.
While the MAC – which has already criticised the graduate visa route over concerns that it increases low-wage migration – is billed as “independent”, the Home Office is represented on the committee, and the committee receives its commission from the home secretary.
