UK Post-Study Work Visa – London, September 13, 2019 – UK has announced the reinstatement of the 2-year post-study work visa for international students in a move that will significantly influence thousands of Indian students wishing to study abroad.
The reintroduction of this immigration rule will again allow Indian graduates to stay in the UK for two years post their studies and work after graduating from any UK universities. According to the current rule, overseas students studying bachelor’s and master’s degrees in any subject can stay and work in the UK for only 4 months.
Also, as per the Department for Education, UK, there will be no limit on the number of foreign students who can study in the UK. In order to attract more students, the post-study leave period will be increased to 6 months for UG and PG students and 1 year for doctoral students.
The 2-year post-study visa was scrapped by the then UK home minister, Theresa May in 2012 leading to the drop in the number of Indian students going to study in the UK. This move had resulted in the UK losing its competitive edge as an international market for higher education.
Tom Birtwistle, Director North, British Council India hailed the decision of the UK government and said that it is a win-win situation for both the international students and UK institutions. “The new graduate immigration route supports the ambitions of Indian students, who, as we know, consider post-study work option as an important factor when making their choice of studying abroad,” he said, adding, “UK university campuses and classrooms are enriched by the presence of Indian students; the new visa policy giving students the chance to develop their careers in an international marketplace helps reconfirm the UK’s position as a world-leading destination for Indian students.”
The founder and chairperson of the London-based National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU), Sanam Arora, welcomed the announcement of the return of the post-study work visa. She said, “We were running the post-study work visa campaign for the last 5+ years and this marks the conclusion of long and hard battle that has found its due justice.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson also praised the policy change in post-study work visa. He said, “The important contribution international students make to our country and universities is both cultural and economic. Their presence benefits Britain. Our universities thrive on being open global institutions.”
As per the British media reports, the announcement of reintroduction of two-year post-study work visa is part of a package of British government measures to boost the number of foreign students after Brexit.