May 8th, 2024 at 12:52 am

New Changes for UK Student Visa Holders Switching to Work Visa Routes | Study in UK 2024

Modifications for holders of UK student visas transferring to work visa pathways. The UK government has recently made substantial reforms that would affect holders of student visas who want to switch to work visas. This blog post explores the details of these modifications and their implications for students who intend to work their way into an extended stay in the UK.

Key Changes for Transitioning to Work Visas

Were you aware of the updated eligibility for the workgroup? Those with student visas who start classes after January 1, 2024, will have to follow a predetermined process to convert to work visas. Among the well-known work visa paths that are accessible are the Innovator Founder, Global Talent, and Skilled Worker visas.

In the past, students who got a job offer may have applied for work visas before finishing their education. They must, however, finish their degree-level coursework before applying for a work visa under the new regulations.

There are additional provisions for PhD students in line with the government’s aim to guarantee that study remains the major motivation for their stay. Recognizing the unique nature and length of PhD programs, an exception is made for PhD students, allowing them to transfer to a supported job route 24 months from the commencement of their course without finishing their studies.

Why the Tightening of Rules?

Concerns about the abuse of the student visa pathway as a backdoor to employment in the UK are the driving force behind these more stringent requirements. From a historical perspective, we can see that similar concerns led to revisions in 2012, to reduce the number of students who were staying in the UK to study while their main goal was finding work.

Impact on Current Students

Although these adjustments might appear onerous, they are a reflection of the government’s continuous attempts to strike a balance between limiting the abuse of the Visa system and drawing in legitimate students to its top-tier universities. These revisions highlight how crucial it is for students who are studying or intend to study in the UK to finish their degree before exploring career prospects.

Update on Working while Studying in the UK

Full-time student visa holders are nevertheless allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the summer, notwithstanding these limitations. While studying in the UK, this program assists students in maintaining their financial stability and gaining work experience.

Understanding these new visa requirements is essential for overseas students studying in the UK to plan their educational and professional paths. Students can fully utilize their UK education to pursue successful employment possibilities after graduation while still complying with the government’s immigration policy by adhering to these new regulations.

UK’s New Visa Rules Impact on Skilled Worker Recruitment

In this blog, we explore the latest developments in UK immigration law, with a particular emphasis on the new visa regulations that have affected foreign graduate hiring at KPMG and other companies. This policy change has wider ramifications for several economic sectors that depend on trained foreign laborers in addition to potential employees.

Come along as we examine these measures’ immediate effects and their implications for the UK’s skilled employment market going forward.

Tougher Visa Requirements for Skilled Workers

In response to the government’s imposition of more stringent visa regulations for foreign workers, KPMG, a leader in the global professional services industry, has lately revoked employment offers to several foreign graduates in the UK. This action follows the UK’s decision to increase the income requirement for the skilled worker visa, which has an impact on the capacity of businesses to sponsor foreign talent.

Immediate Effects on Graduate Employment

According to The Financial Times, KPMG has resent offers to incoming graduates as a result of the increase in the minimum wage required to sponsor a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK. The new pay is £38,700 for people over 26 and £30,960 for those under 26. Graduate programs that were previously eligible for sponsorship under the category of skilled worker visas will be greatly impacted by this decision.

Broader Economic Concerns

Aiming to reduce immigration, the December 2023 announcement of a change in visa policy presents difficulties for industries that mostly rely on skilled foreign labor, such as IT, architecture, engineering, and the creative industries. KPMG’s response to the directive to stop hiring recent graduates from outside of London who need skilled worker visas, except for some positions like junior actuaries, reflects the general concern in the business community with these new limitations.

Looking Ahead

KPMG’s hiring approach has changed, with a greater emphasis now being placed on domestic applicants and the exploration of other talent pools, such as hiring more ex-offenders. Businesses are under pressure to quickly adjust as the UK tightens immigration laws, changing the environment for foreign professionals and students hoping to work in the country under the Skilled Worker Visa.