Graduate visa route stays, as UK government proposes ‘crackdown’ on abuses and migration

The UK government has proposed new measures to ‘further crack down on student visas’, but has stopped short of closing the graduate visa route. Many in the higher education sector have expressed relief that the graduate visa will stay after the government’s rapid review of the route as part of a series of measures aimed at reducing net migration.

‘We welcome the news that the graduate route remains in place,’ said Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group, a body that represents 24 of the country’s top research universities. ‘As recognised by the [migration advisory committee’s (MAC)] recent report, international students bring huge value to our universities, our communities and our economy.’