Major Changes in UK Immigration 2024: What International Students Need to Know

We will discuss the recently proposed proposals to eliminate the UK Post-Study Work Visa in this blog update. We’ll go into great detail in this update about the important reforms that former Immigration Minister and possible Republican presidential candidate Robert Genrich has suggested, which might drastically alter the situation for foreign workers and students who want to work in the UK.

Proposed Immigration Reforms and their Implications

A set of proposals put out by Robert Genrich aims to significantly reduce net migration. These are the main adjustments that you should be aware of.

1. Health and Care Visa Cap: The proposal calls for limiting the number of these visas to 30,000 per year. This policy seeks to restrict the number of professionals entering various fields, which may affect the number of openings for positions that arriving foreign healthcare workers can fill.
2. Graduate Route Visa Elimination: Genrich suggests doing away with the Graduate Route Visa. Currently, this visa permits graduates to remain in the UK for two years after graduation to look for work. Eliminating this would make the UK less desirable as a place to study because it would make it harder for graduates to find employment there.
3. Increasing Salary Thresholds: An idea to index Visa route salary thresholds in response to growing inflation has been put forward. To more truly reflect the state of the economy, the minimum wage requirements for skilled worker visas would rise in line with inflation rates.

Impact on Current and Future Students

The opportunities for present and future international students may be considerably altered by these suggested adjustments.

• Decreased post-study employment opportunities: Unless they find employment that satisfies the new, probably higher wage requirements, students may have to leave the UK shortly after finishing their studies due to the possible abolition of the Graduate Route Visa.
• Added financial strain: in an already competitive employment market, graduates may find it more difficult to locate qualifying jobs as a result of increasing income limits.

What does this mean for you?

These changes may impact your plans and possibilities if you are studying in the UK or intend to apply. It’s important to keep up with changes in UK immigration laws, and you may want to reevaluate your long-term objectives in light of them. Finally, we strongly advise you to continue being informed and involved. We will provide you with updates as these developments take place.

How to Switch from a Graduate Visa Route to Another Work Visa in the UK

After completing an approved course, holders of the Graduate Visa are permitted to stay in the UK for two years. Graduates have the chance to determine their next moves during this time. To start their professions after graduation, graduates in the UK can transition from a Graduate Visa to a variety of work visas. This section will guide you through the necessary procedures to effectively complete this move.

Switching to a Skilled Worker Visa

Is it feasible to switch to a visa for skilled workers? A legitimate sponsor license and a work offer from a UK employer are prerequisites. The position must fulfill the prerequisites for a skilled worker visa, which include matching your qualifications and paying the required minimum wage. Once your employer provides you with a Certificate of Sponsorship, you will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency and apply for the visa within three months.

Application Process

Comprehensive documentation, such as a current passport and evidence of English language competency, is required of applicants. In addition, you will have to schedule a biometrics appointment and pay the immigration health premium and visa application fee. Usually, the processing period takes eight weeks, though this can change.

Other Visa Options

Although the skilled worker visa is a popular option, depending on specific circumstances, other visas such as the health and care worker, senior or specialist, and global talent visa may also be available. For graduates who want to stay longer in the UK for work-related reasons, this handbook explains the main procedures and choices.

Easiest Ways to Remain in the UK after Graduating as an International Student

After graduating, pursue your post-study career in the UK. This section examines the post-study employment options for international students. We’ll also talk about valuable information about the skilled worker’s route.

After finishing your studies, if you intend to remain in the UK, you must apply for authorization before your student visa expires. The Graduate and Skilled Worker paths are the two most popular options for graduates hoping to find work in the UK.

Candidates who choose the Graduate option are allowed to stay in the UK. In addition, they have at least two years after graduating to look for work at any skill level. You must, however, have earned an undergraduate degree from a UK institution or above. Remember that eligibility for a Graduate visa requires enrollment as a student in the UK.

The path for skilled workers allows you to land a job in the UK for a recognized employer. For the Graduate visa, you must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer, and there are limitations on the job openings you can fill.

Regardless, any period you served in the UK as a holder of a Skilled Worker visa may count against your settlement requirement. For this reason, those who want to live permanently in the UK must employ the Skilled Worker route rather than the Graduate route.

Sponsors of overseas learners are required to keep track of the sponsored person’s specific circumstances and report them to the appropriate authorities. Sponsors must ensure that students know the repercussions of breaking their visa requirements.