UK Immigration White Paper– Part 6: Graduate Visa Route
In this sixth instalment of Irwin Mitchell’s two-week series analysing the white paper, we examine the proposed changes to the Graduate visa route and their potential impact on foreign nationals seeking to study and remain in the UK.
What is the Graduate Visa Route?
Introduced in 2021, the Graduate visa route allows international students who successfully complete eligible courses to stay in the UK for two years post-graduation, or three years for those completing a PhD.
At launch, the government described this route as a way to “retain the brightest and best international students” to contribute to the UK’s society and economy after their studies, with the expectation that graduates would switch to other visa categories after their Graduate visa expires.
Between July 2021 and Mach 2024, there were 276,000 successful Graduate visa applications.
Proposed Changes
The Home Office now intends to reduce the Graduate visa’s post-study leave from two years to 18 months. Additionally, the white paper signals potential exploration of a levy on higher education providers’ income from international students.
The rationale given is that, despite a record number of graduates remaining in the UK (over half of students arriving in 2020 still held leave after three years) too many are not transitioning into graduate-level roles for which the visa was designed.
Following previous measures barring international students from bringing depend
ents, this represents another effort to deter international students from coming to the UK.
Assessing the Policy’s Value
On the surface, the benefits of these changes are unclear beyond possibly deterring young international students.
The white paper proudly notes that in 2022/23, international students contributed over £12 billion in tuition fees to UK higher education institutions and bolstered the UK’s world-leading research sector. This figure excludes indirect economic benefits such as living expenses and cultural contributions.
Despite stating an intention to “share out the benefits” international students bring, the proposed reduction in visa duration and the potential levy appear poised to restrict this valuable income stream.
As my colleague Luke Jackaman noted in yesterday’s article, the Home Office is shifting focus to attracting the “brightest and best” through expanded High Potential Individual and Global Talent visa routes. However, this strategy has a glaring flaw: why would top talent choose the UK at all?
The UK government’s persistent negative rhetoric toward migrants, combined with hostile policies limiting migration, create an unwelcoming environment for talented international students. Compared to other countries offering better wages, living standards, and more welcoming cultures, the UK is losing its appeal as a study and career destination.
By shortening the Graduate visa’s duration, the government appears to be pushing international students toward alternative visa routes or deterring them altogether. This risky approach may backfire.
Further Considerations
The Home Office bases its proposed changes on the premise that many graduates are not securing graduate-level employment. Yet this overlooks a crucial point: graduate-level roles are difficult to find for all recent graduates, not just international students.
A June 2024 Office for National Statistics analysis of the graduate labour market showed higher unemployment rates among young people (ages 21-30) compared to the overall working-age population. Of employed graduates, 67% were in high-skilled jobs (SOC codes 1-3), with a median salary of £26,000 in real terms.
The white paper’s own survey data reveals that only 30% of Graduate visa holders were employed in professional (graduate-level) occupations, 31% in roles equivalent to A-Level or below, and the remainder did not report their jobs. This suggests that between 30% and 70% of employed Graduate visa holders might be in jobs below RQF level 6.
Therefore, the Home Office’s conclusion that Graduate visa holders are underemployed compared to UK graduates is based on a comparison that arguably neglects wider socioeconomic factors. The government’s framing paints migration as a problem rather than addressing the broader structural issues affecting all young graduates in the UK labour market.
If the UK wants to retain talent, the challenge may be less about controlling inflows and more about improving conditions to stop graduates from leaving.
Final Thoughts
The proposed Graduate visa reforms constitute another attempt by the Home Office to reduce net migration. Yet, like many proposals in this white paper, they lack a clear articulation of benefits.
Reducing post-study leave for international students seems counterproductive, especially alongside efforts to attract high-potential talent through other visa routes. Without addressing the hostile climate for migrants, these policies risk undermining the UK’s position as a global education and innovation hub.
How We Can Help
If you have any questions stemming from this article or the white paper in general, do not hesitate to contact Mandeep Khroud at Irwin Mitchell.
Further insights about the White Paper
Irwin Mitchell's Immigration team is producing a series of articles which examine key proposals within the White Paper. All these can be accessed via the following link.
