UK PM's Exit Cheers Indian Students Bound for England
The Rishi Sunak government had established a migration advisory committee (MAC) to reevaluate the continuation of the graduate route work visa.
The Rishi Sunak government had established a migration advisory committee (MAC) to reevaluate the continuation of the graduate route work visa. This post-study work visa grants British university graduates work rights for two years.As the UK voters have ousted the Rishi Sunak-led Conservative Party, Keir Starmer of the Labour Party takes over as Prime Minister. After a 14-year reign, the government known for its anti-immigrant policies bids adieu to Downing Street. This shift gives Indian international students a reason to cheer. The party implemented a range of policies to clamp down on immigrants.These policies, part of the Conservative Party's efforts to 'stop the boats,' included phasing out dependents' visas for students, proposals to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda, and ending visas for dependents of care workers. Starting October 2023 the UK government increased visa fees by up to £127 for international students.
Tories Rolled Out a Few Anti-Immigrant Policies:
The government led by the Indian-origin Prime Minister established a migration advisory committee (MAC) to review the future of the graduate route work visa, commonly known as the post-study work visa. This visa allows graduates from British universities to work for two years.The committee's review on May 14 was eagerly awaited and sparked significant criticism from international students and prospective applicants alike. It recommended continuing the visa introduced in July 2021, which enables international students to work in any job without sponsorship or a work permit. This visa grants graduates of British universities the freedom to work without restrictions, akin to British citizens, for a duration of two years.India, according to a report by the British Council, saw a 68 percent growth in 2023 and remains the largest source of participants in the graduate route among students globally.
Visa Dependents for Student Applicants:
From January 2024, the British government ceased issuing visas for dependents of students, excluding research students. As a result, between January and March 2024, the number of dependents decreased by nearly 80 percent compared to the same period in 2023. During this time, there were over 26,000 fewer student visa applications.
Care Workers Affected by Visa Changes:
Starting from March 11, 2024, migrant care workers were prohibited from bringing their partners and children to the UK. Additionally, new visa restrictions prevented international students from transitioning from the student route to work before finishing their studies.
The Rwanda Plan:
Despite Sunak's April announcement that flights to Rwanda would commence in 10-12 weeks, no flights took off before the elections. Under this plan, all illegal immigrants will be deported to Rwanda, a small country in Central Africa, for processing, asylum, and resettlement under a bilateral arrangement between the two countries.
