UK Cancels Visa Policy: Impact on Immigration

The United Kingdom recently announced the withdrawal of a visa policy aimed at foreign students graduating from UK universities. The policy, introduced in 2012, allowed non-EEA (European Economic Area) students to stay in the UK for up to two years to find work after their graduation. However, as of September 2020, this policy will be abolished. This decision will have significant implications for both international students and the immigration system in the UK.

The Impact on International Students

Non-EEA students who have recently graduated or are planning to graduate soon will no longer have the option of staying in the UK for two years to find work. This will make it much harder for them to secure long-term employment in the country. Many international students choose to study in the UK because of the potential opportunity to build a career in the country. With this policy change, it is likely that fewer students will choose to study in the UK in the future, impacting the higher education industry.

The Impact on UK Immigration

The cancellation of this policy will have a significant impact on the UK immigration system. The government is trying to reduce the number of people coming to the country for work and study. This policy was introduced to encourage students to stay in the UK, which may have led to them becoming permanent residents in the long run. Now that this policy has been withdrawn, it is expected that fewer international students will stay on in the UK once they have completed their studies, leading to a reduction in the number of non-EEA immigrants living in the UK.

The Response from the Higher Education Sector

The higher education sector is concerned about the potential impact of this policy change. Universities and colleges in the UK have come to rely on international students, who bring in billions of pounds in revenue each year. Removing the option for those students to stay on in the country after graduation could cause serious financial harm to the industry. Moreover, it may make it less attractive for international students to choose the UK as a study destination in the first place, further impacting the sector.

Conclusion

The cancellation of the visa policy for non-EEA students will have significant implications for both international students and the immigration system in the UK. Although the government's priority is to reduce the number of non-EEA migrants coming to the country, this decision may have unintended consequences for the higher education sector and the economy. It remains to be seen what the specific effects of this policy change will be and how universities and colleges will adapt to the new reality.