UK Government’s Decision to Retain Graduate Route Visa Welcomed by Indian Students and Experts
The recent announcement by the UK government to maintain the Graduate Route scheme (GRV) has brought significant relief to Indian students planning to pursue higher education in the country. The United Kingdom’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) conducted a rapid review of the Graduate Route Visa (GRV) and recommended its continuation in its current form.
Introduced in 2021, the GRV allows students to remain in the UK for a minimum of two years after completing their bachelor’s, postgraduate, or other eligible courses under the Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. Doctoral candidates are eligible for three years under this visa category. While the Graduate Visa cannot be extended, individuals can transition to a Skilled Worker visa.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously expressed interest in amending the Graduate Route Visa, a move that could potentially restrict entry for Indian students.
“The UK government’s decision to retain the GRV will provide new graduates with ample time to secure initial career opportunities critical to their futures, whether in multinational corporations, smaller enterprises, the NHS, or new startups,” remarked Ian Crichton, CEO of International Education Specialists at Study Group.
Gaurav Batra, CEO and Founder of Infinite Group, highlighted the positive implications of this decision: “The UK government’s welcoming stance is expected to attract a larger number of Indian students, potentially reversing the decline caused by previous policy changes. The favorable outcome of the GRV review by the UK Migration Advisory reflects a forward step for international students, who not only enrich the UK’s academic environment but also contribute to its economic growth.”
Anuj Gupta, CEO of Youngrads, emphasized the financial impact of declining international student enrollments on UK universities, which heavily rely on tuition fees from global students to support teaching and research across various disciplines.
Reacting to the news, Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage.biz, expressed widespread relief among students: “There’s a lot of celebration happening here in India and around the world, from students eager to study at world-class institutions, thrive in multicultural settings, and contribute to British society. Hopefully, the uncertainty is now behind us.”
The decision to maintain the GRV underscores the extensive deliberation and recognition of the pivotal role international students play within UK universities and the broader society.
