Migrant graduates will be allowed to stay in the UK for two years after completing studies

LONDON July 14: A new Graduate Route, announced to commence from 2021, will allow international students to stay in the UK once they have successfully completed their studies.

The Government is ‘refining’ the visa process for students and launching a graduate route next summer, the statement said, adding: ‘The student route will be streamlined for sponsoring institutions and applicants, and the graduate route will help retain the brightest and the best students to contribute to the UK post-study.’

Overseas students, including Indians, who have completed undergraduate and master’s degrees will be able to stay for two years and those who have completed PhD can stay for three years, making it easier for some of the “best, international graduates to secure skilled jobs in the UK and contribute to the UK’s economic growth”.

The new points-based system will also expand the skills threshold for skilled workers and an applicant’s job must be at the minimum skill level of A-level or equivalent, rather than degree level under the current system.

“This will provide greater flexibility and ensure UK business has access to a wide pool of skilled workers,” the Home Office said.

Many of the announcements around the new system have been made in the course of the past few months, with the formal guidance around the changed rules to apply from New Year’s Day 2021 being laid out this week.

EU nationals resident in the UK until the end of this year can apply for permanent residency under the EU Settlement Scheme, with any future entries for work and stay in the UK being subject to the new points-based visa rules like the rest of the world. – PTI