The UK government today unveiled a new two-year post-study work visa, boosting options for exceptional overseas students to establish prosperous careers in the UK and providing a significant boost for Indian students.
All international students, including those from India, who have valid student immigration status in the UK and have successfully completed a programme of study in any subject at the undergraduate level or above at an approved UK Higher Education Provider are eligible to apply for the new “Graduate” route. After finishing their education, qualifying students will be able to use the visa for two years to work or search for a job in any field of their choice.
By expanding chances for future advancements in science, technology, and research as well as other world-class work that foreign talent brings to the UK, builds on government efforts to assist in attracting and keeping the finest and brightest people from across the world.
Priti Patel, the home secretary, said:
Talented overseas students may study in the UK under the new Graduate Route and then receive useful job experience as they pursue successful professions in science, math, or technology.
“Sir Dominic Asquith, the British High Commissioner to India, stated, “Indian students would have the opportunity to strengthen their skills and experience by remaining in the UK for a longer period of time upon earning their degree, which is wonderful news for them.”
“I’m happy to see that the number of Indian students who come to the UK to study is rising steadily and has doubled in the past three years. Just last year, there was a tremendous 42% growth.”
Sincere students from India and other countries are welcomed in the UK because of the value they add to the country. Over the past three years, the number of Indian students has dramatically grown, reaching about 22,000 in the fiscal year ending in June 2019. This was a 42% rise over the prior year and a nearly 100% increase over three years earlier. Additionally, the majority of Indians who aspire to go to the UK are able to do so because 96% of all applications for UK visas are approved.
This announcement comes after the establishment of a new fast-track visa pathway for scientists and the elimination of the cap on Ph.D. candidates entering the skilled work visa pathway, all of which aim to further establish the UK as a global leader in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field. In the past 10 years, about 130,000 Indian students (or nearly 50% of all students from that country) who went to the UK picked a STEM major.
