The United Kingdom’s government has unveiled a series of more stringent regulations aimed at international students, notably shortening the period for post-study work authorization.
These reforms, detailed in an official White Paper on Immigration, are also projected to increase the financial burden of pursuing higher education in the UK for students from abroad.
A significant overhaul in immigration policy directly affecting foreign students is the reduction in the duration of the post-study work permit. This visa category currently enables graduates to reside in the UK and engage in employment opportunities.
The White Paper on Immigration proposes to decrease the permissible stay for graduates in the UK after completing their studies from the current 24 months to a more concise 18 months. However, individuals who complete PhD programs will still be granted a three-year period.
The Graduate route, initially introduced in July 2021 as an unsponsored pathway, previously allowed students to remain in the UK for two years (or three years for PhD holders) post-graduation. Its primary objective was to facilitate international student graduates in finding employment or seeking work after successfully completing an eligible course.
A second substantial impact will be on the overall expense of education in the UK. The reforms outlined in the White Paper on Immigration are set to elevate the cost of studying in the UK for international students. The UK government is exploring the implementation of a levy on the income generated by higher education providers from international students, with the intention of reinvesting these funds into skills development initiatives.
Thirdly, the UK plans to raise the language proficiency requirements for Skilled Workers and for other worker categories where a language requirement already exists. The standard will be increased from B1 to B2 (Independent User) levels, according to the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Additionally, a new English language requirement will be introduced for all adult dependents of workers and students, set at level A1 (Basic User). This aligns with the requirements for spousal and partner routes, with plans to progressively increase this requirement over time. These new language stipulations aim to restrict the inflow to primarily English-proficient individuals into the UK.
Fourthly, the White Paper on Immigration includes measures designed to encourage sponsoring institutions to recruit students responsibly, ensuring that only genuine applicants who meet the route’s criteria are offered places.
The UK government is tightening the regulations for educational institutions seeking to attract international students. These modifications are intended to prevent individuals from misusing student visas. Schools must now meet elevated standards to retain their license to sponsor international students:
- The visa refusal rate for their sponsored students must remain under 10% (this requirement remains unchanged).
- At least 95% of sponsored students must commence their course (an increase from the previous 90%).
- At least 90% of sponsored students must successfully complete their course (an increase from the previous 85%).
Colleges and universities will be assessed and assigned a rating of Red, Amber, or Green based on their performance against these new benchmarks. This performance rating will be made public and accessible to the government.
Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/
Dated: May 14, 2025 10:55 IST