The UK government's recent announcement of keeping the Graduate Route scheme (GRV), has come as a major relief for Indian students aspiring to pursue higher education in the country. The United Kingdom's (UK) Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its rapid review of the Graduate Route Visa (GRV), proposing that the GRV should be continued in its current form.
What is Graduate Route Scheme?
GRV was introduced by the UK government in 2021. The scheme permits students to stay in the UK for at least two years after successfully completing their bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with the Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. While the Graduate visa lasts for two years, PhD or other doctoral candidates have three years to stay in the country. A Graduate Visa cannot be extended but the individual can switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had earlier expressed his desire of amending the Graduate Route Visa. Any kind of amendment or policy change in the visa would have limited the entry of Indian students in the country.
More career opportunities for students
"The UK government's new decision of keeping the GRV will enable new graduates to stay long enough to find the first career opportunities that are so valuable to their futures, whether that means working for multinationals, more modest size companies or within the NHS or new startups," says Ian Crichton, CEO, International Education Specialists, Study Group.
International students bring diversity to the country
"The UK government's welcoming decision is likely to appeal to a larger number of Indian students, potentially reversing the previous decline caused by policy changes. The recent findings on the GRV by the UK Migration Advisory represent a positive step forward for international students. These students are not only integral to the UK's academic landscape but also contribute dynamism and diversity to the system. The outcome of the review, which favored international students, underscores the government's recognition of their vital role, not only within universities but also in driving economic growth," says Gaurav Batra, CEO and Founder, Infinite Group.
Decline of International students would financially impact UK
According to Anuj Gupta, CEO of Youngrads, "Indian students at the moment are hesitant to apply to UK universities for Master's degrees because of stricter visa guidelines carried out in advance this 12 months. This has caused a decline in programmes, which is good sized considering the fact that Indian college students, alongside those from China and Nigeria, constitute a massive part of the international pupil body inside the UK. This decline will financially affect UK universities, as they rely heavily on training expenses from global students to fund coaching and research across various subjects."
Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage.biz took to twitter moments after the development. He said, "There's a lot of late-night cheering happening here in India, and I'm sure in many other parts of the world, from students who simply want to study at world-class institutions, grow in dynamic multicultural settings, and contribute to British society," He added, "Hopefully, the uncertainty is behind us now. The extensive thought and debate leading to Rishi Sunak's decision speaks volumes. Game on!"
