UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing significant opposition from his Cabinet over plans to restrict the Graduate Route visa scheme, which allows international students to stay and work in the UK after graduation. The scheme has been particularly popular among Indian students, who have topped the tally of these post-study visas since its launch in 2021. Critics argue that the scheme is being abused, with almost 3 in 10 graduates not working and 4 in 10 earning just £15k per annum, placing a burden on taxpayers. However, university leaders and student groups have lobbied to protect the scheme, warning that curbing it could damage regional economies and 'choke off' opportunities for young people. St Andrews' vice-chancellor and more than two dozen northern universities have voiced concerns, describing the proposed visa curbs as a 'blunt instrument'. Despite the pressure, Sunak has reportedly decided to abandon the plan to restrict the graduate visas, influenced by arguments from key Cabinet members including Lord Cameron and Jeremy Hunt. Additionally, migrant graduates will be subject to English tests to stay in Britain under the revised visa policy.
UK PM #RishiSunak abandons plan to restrict graduate visas, says report. NDTV's @VishalV054 explains what this means for Indian students. https://t.co/bRCTqbXJem
The two-year period students can stay in the UK after finishing their degrees will stay in place after Lord Cameron and Jeremy Hunt made arguments to the prime minister Read more 🔗 https://t.co/xLsdcS7QXs
Lord “mass immigration” Cameron is clearly in charge, as he forces Rishi Sunak to keep graduate visa scheme Mass student visa abuse & numbers will continue Only @reformparty_uk will freeze non essential immigration https://t.co/j3QU41UOAu
The government has chosen a pretty minimalist reform agenda on graduate post-study visas, reflecting the broad consensus in Cabinet (education, treasury, FCO). The review process may have raised expectations on the right, before disappointing them. https://t.co/lkhi6yl7n5
Ministers are expected to claim their plan to cut record net migration to the UK is already working as they prepare to reject calls from some Tory MPs to scrap graduate visas @singharj reports https://t.co/J4t6fFfZMz
Sunak set to resist Tory pressure for full crackdown on foreign student visas https://t.co/OvCEyWzbxn
The Conservatives have watered down reforms to control mass migration via the student visa route, which is abused by scammers who drop out of uni to work/claim asylum. The visa is also used to prop up failing universities & is part of the Tory immigration betrayal. Zero seats. https://t.co/jmauxN6UY6
EXC: Migrant graduates will be subject to English tests to stay in Britain under weakened visa crackdown https://t.co/xi1APiIeCS - Cabinet to sign off watered down package on Thursday - Drop out rates targeted and touts luring away migrants from studies and into low paid work…
🧨 Sunak has caved in!!! Today the Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Education Secretary lobbied against scrapping the graduate visa scheme and he’s reportedly caved! Ex-Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick is on my show tonight 9-11pm @GBNEWS
Cabinet 'split' over crackdown on graduate visas to curb immigration as Lord Cameron 'warns a swathe of universities could shut' https://t.co/UMPyhWrNbQ https://t.co/Y5TCRJ0bUJ
Universities and student groups urgently lobbied British Prime Minister #RishiSunak to safeguard the country's post-study visa offer https://t.co/MoT2B39G6c
We welcome international students but the numbers now are out of control. Too many universities are selling immigration, not education. Last year I proposed ways to rebalance the system. These identical (weak) objections were raised then. 1/2 https://t.co/0sIn6Ih1t9
We welcome international students but the numbers now are out of control. Too many universities are selling immigration, not education. Last year I proposed ways to rebalance to the system. These identical (weak) objections were raised then. 1/2 https://t.co/0sIn6Ih1t9
The UK Indian student group, NISAU UK, urged the British govt to protect the Graduate Route visa programme that allows graduates to stay and work after graduation. https://t.co/aRlFmFBxYR
You can’t trust the Conservative Party on immigration. They haven’t cut it because they don’t want to. This won’t change. ‘He joins a coalition of ministers opposed to hardline curbs on graduate visas including Gillian Keegan, Jeremy Hunt, James Cleverly’ https://t.co/LcmJZXrEkH
VCs of more than two dozen northern universities of all types have written to the PM this morning, warning visa cuts would damage regional economies and “choke off” the prospects of thousands of young people https://t.co/XsWhmdwCpz
Indian Students' Body In UK Urges PM Rishi Sunak To Protect Graduate Route Visa Policy https://t.co/yozIJ1pBXE
As @RishiSunak ponders further cuts to grad visas Boss of top-ranked uni St Andrews warns that visa curbs are ‘blunt instrument’. Northern unis, in core Tory “levelling up” country, say move wd have huge costs. Via me, @ft @JenWilliams_FT https://t.co/O4dyUFOi6n https://t.co/vNItBcLIn4
St Andrews vice-chancellor warns curbs on student visas are ‘blunt instrument’ https://t.co/LFbMxVAvNm
The public like international students. Taking them on is yet another act of political self-destruction. See below. 👇 https://t.co/4Xfa4AH3Dd
The most abused migrant visas is committed by "students". Rishi Sunak has heeded to public demand & wants to cut them back. In cabinet it has come in for resistance from @David_Cameron, @Jeremy_Hunt & @GillianKeegan. Students get an NI number to work. https://t.co/JLm1obn3Kd
It's open season on international #students across the world; and countries have billions at stake https://t.co/HYqvCNvxU2
#RishiSunak is facing a Cabinet revolt over plans to scrap the Graduate Route scheme, the definitive factor for choosing U.K. universities among Indian students who have topped the tally of these post-study visas since it was launched in 2021. https://t.co/Op9mtvPkJ8
Great international student visa rip off exposed: 💥Almost 3 in 10 graduate visa holders not working at all 💥4 in 10 earn just £15k pa, < half ave national wage 💥No added value, instead cost on taxpayers We’ve been gaslit by Tories & Universities https://t.co/vK3IEXoffw
It's open season on international students across the world — and countries have nothing to lose but billions of dollars in tuition fees -- writes @mbrookerhk https://t.co/9M4NKeD6qu via @opinion