The UK government has decided to cut the net migration rate of the country. Several steps have already been implemented while some are in the offing. One of the proposed changes impacts international students’ ability to work in the UK after finishing their studies.

The UK Graduate route review is taking place and the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is expected to submit the report to the government by May 14. The UK government in December 2023 decided that modifications will be made to the Graduate route to encourage firms to invest in the native workforce rather than relying too much on migration.

Yash Dubal, Director & a Senior Immigration Associate, A Y & J Solicitors, London, United Kingdom says, “It is an uncertain time for international students studying in the UK who are nearing the end of their courses as the results of the review are due to be presented in May.

The UK Government has made a commitment to reduce levels of migration coming into Britain so it is highly possible that the review will recommend restrictions to the Graduate Visa route.

It may even be cancelled altogether, which will dramatically reduce the options available for graduates who wish to remain in the UK to work after their studies. If the route is cancelled, students will have to return to their home nations if they do not have a viable visa route to switch into after completing their studies, and consider their options from overseas. One route for entrepreneurs could be the Self – Sponsor route.”

The Graduate route launched in July 2021 is an unsponsored route which allows students to stay for 2 years (or 3 years for PhD students) after graduation. To be eligible, a student must hold valid leave under the Student route and have completed an undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral degree with a Higher Education Provider.

Applicants to the Graduate route do not need to provide evidence of their financial ability to support themselves in the UK, have a job offer or be earning a particular salary.

The immigration rules state that “This route is for a Student in the UK who wants to work, or look for work, following the successful completion of an eligible course”. When the route was launched, the Government said that it wanted to attract and retain bright international students to contribute to society and the economy post-study and help businesses recruit highly qualified talent from across the globe to drive the economy forward.

Further, an international student can spend relatively little on fees for a one-year course and gain access to two years with no job requirement on the Graduate route, followed by four years access to a discounted salary threshold on the Skilled Worker route.

This means international graduates can access the UK labour market with salaries significantly below the requirement imposed on the majority of migrant skilled workers.

Graduate route was introduced to attract the best and brightest students to study in the UK. However, below are some government findings:

Early data suggests that only 23% of students switching from the Graduate route to the Skilled Worker route in 2023 went into graduate-level jobs.

In 2023, 32% of international graduates switching into work routes earned a salary above the general threshold at the time (£26,200), with just 16% earning over £30,000 – meaning that the vast majority of those completing the Graduate route go into work earning less than the median wage of other graduates.

Initial data shows that the majority of international students switching from the Graduate route to the Skilled Worker route go into care work.