UK planning to cut the duration of the post-study visa for international students
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Indian Students in the United Kingdom may have to cut their stay short if they are unable to find a job within six months after graduating. As per reports, UK is planning to cut the duration of the post-study visa for international students. UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has proposed new rules for the UK Graduate Visa.
As per a report by The Times in UK, Braverman’s plan to cut the post-study stay for students in UK comes during a time where the country has recorded high rates of immigration.
However, as per this report, this proposal has been “strongly opposed” by the Department of Education in UK. Under the present rules of the UK Graduate Visa, international students, including Indian Students can stay on in UK for two years with a requirement of a job.
However, as per the proposal put forth by the UK Home Secretary, this post-study stay would be reduced to six months. Students would then have the option to either get a job and apply for a work visa or leave the country.
As per the Times, leaked advice suggests that the Department of Education is working towards blocking this proposal as it would impact the level of students who come to UK for higher education and reduce its attractiveness. At present, UK is one of the top destinations for higher education, especially for Indian Students.
This development comes at a time where UK is battling high rates of immigration. Based on reports released by the UK Home Office last year, the number of Indian students in UK has surpassed the number of Chinese students in UK.
India and UK are working on strengthening ties with a Free Trade Agreement. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared in November 2022 that India and UK would begin the Young Professionals Scheme under which, graduate and skilled professionals between the ages of 18 to 30 years would be able to stay, work and live in the UK for 2 years.
As per an official statement issued recently, India and UK are planning to launch the India-UK Young Professionals Scheme on February 28, 2023.
