The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has concluded that there is no widespread abuse of the UK’s graduate visa route, despite claims from senior Conservatives suggesting exploitation for job market entry. The committee recommends maintaining the graduate visa entitlement, allowing international students to work post-graduation for two or three years. MAC members emphasize that the risks of abuse are low and do not compromise the integrity of the higher education system.
This decision comes as a relief to vice-chancellors, who have warned of financial turmoil if the graduate visa were abolished. However, concerns remain among higher education leaders that the government might selectively use elements of the report to justify further restrictions.
The review was initiated by Home Secretary James Cleverly amidst growing concerns within the Conservative Party about potential abuse of the graduate visa for employment purposes. Despite calls from some quarters, including a report by former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, to abolish the graduate visa due to alleged exploitation in low-wage jobs, the MAC chair, Prof Brian Bell, firmly supports retaining the current scheme.
The MAC report highlights:
No evidence of widespread abuse specific to the graduate route.
Low risks of abuse due to limited route conditions.
Concerns about exploitation by agents recruiting students onto courses, but this is separate from visa rule abuse.
Over 114,000 graduate route visas were issued in 2023, with significant uptake from India, Nigeria, China, and Pakistan.
Most graduates on this route completed postgraduate taught courses.
Despite initial concentration in lower-paid work, graduate visa holders’ employment outcomes improve over time, according to the report. The review underscores the need for a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents and calls for universities to publish data on agent use to safeguard the integrity of UK higher education.
The MAC’s recommendation to retain the graduate visa on its current terms is welcomed by key stakeholders, including Universities UK (UUK) and the Russell Group of leading research universities. They urge the government to confirm the visa’s continuity to dispel uncertainty in the sector.
In response, a government spokesperson emphasized the need to attract top talent while preventing immigration system abuse. They noted a significant drop in visa applications and committed to carefully considering the review’s findings before a comprehensive response.
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Read More at : https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/may/14/no-evidence-foreign-students-abusing-uk-graduate-visas-review
