UK Immigration News

Changes to UK Student Visa System Announced

Immigration Minister Damian Green has announced new visa rules that are aimed at reducing abuse of the student visa route and ensuring that only the best and brightest students can stay and work in the UK.

From 6 April, the Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa will close and a new Graduate Entrepreneur route will open so that only the most talented international graduates can apply to stay and work in the UK.

Under the new rules, in order to continue living and working in the UK, international graduates from UK universities must have a skilled job offer with a salary of at least £20,000 (or more in some cases) from a reputable employer accredited by the UK Border Agency.

These rules are part of a radical overhaul of the UK student visa system, which will:

• Encourage growth - The new Graduate Entrepreneur route will offer up to 1,000 places for international students working on world-class innovative ideas who want to stay and develop them in the UK but who do not meet the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa requirements;
• Boost the economy - Young entrepreneurs or small company directors with £50,000 to invest in their business will have the opportunity to stay in the UK after their studies;
• Ensure that students can support themselves - Students, working migrants and their dependants will be required to demonstrate an greater amount of available funds than before to ensure they can support themselves during their stay in the UK; and
• Tackle abuse - Work placements will be restricted to one-third of the course for international students who are studying below degree level to ensure that those coming to the UK are here to study, not to work. Additionally, the time that can be spent studying at degree level will be restricted to a general limit of 5 years.

According to Damian Green: "It is vital that we continue to attract the brightest and the best international students, but we have to be more selective about who can come here and how long they can stay. In the past, too many students have come to the UK to work rather than study, and this abuse must end. With the introduction of the Graduate Entrepreneur route and the restrictions on student work, we are reforming the system to deliver immigration to benefit Britain."

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.