With the increasing number of international students, since last year, many countries have tightened their visa policies, such as Australia, which is preparing to increase the cost of student visa applications; Canada limits the number of international students. The UK graduate work permit has also been intensively adjusted since the end of last year, and the overall tightening has been tightened. At that time, it was said that specific measures would be introduced in May this year. Now that the time has quietly come to May, how has the UK work visa been adjusted? Let's take a look!
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With the increasing number of international students, since last year, many countries have tightened their visa policies, such as Australia, which is preparing to increase the cost of student visa applications; Canada restricts the number of international students, and B.C. slashes the Provincial Nominee Program for International Students (BCPNP), sparking numerous protests...... The UK graduate work permit has also been intensively adjusted since the end of last year, and the overall tightening has been tightened. At that time, it was said that specific measures would be introduced in May this year. Now that the time has quietly come to May, how has the UK work visa been adjusted? Let's take a look!
1. The UK government plans to tighten the PSW visa
On April 29, think tank Onward released a controversial study.
The report said the UK should weed out unskilled, low-income immigrants and only issue visas to students from high-level universities because they have more "high income potential". The think tank also suggested that the Graduate Visa Scheme, known as the PSW visa, should also be abolished.
In fact, as early as March, the British government has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the graduate visa, and the results are expected to be announced in May. It's already mid-May, and according to the latest news, the review has ended, and the post-graduation work permit will soon be officially reformed.
This news has attracted a lot of attention among the international student community, and the PSW visa is very important for students who want to stay and work in the UK after graduation.
According to official data, more than 98,000 international students applied for a two-year post-graduation work permit between June 2022 and June 2023. Under the current rules, the PSW visa can help international students with a bachelor's degree or higher to stay in the UK without sponsorship and look for work. Bachelor's and Master's degree graduates are granted a 2-year visa, and doctoral students are granted a 3-year visa.
Students can switch from a PSW visa to a Tier 2 work visa if they find a job that meets the skill requirements during the PSW visa. At present, all international students can apply for a post-graduation work permit, and there is no restriction on graduation school, grades, or employers. And the visa refusal rate is extremely low, with less than one percent (0.7%) of applicants being refused, which can be said to be very friendly.
So how is the UK government going to tighten the post-graduation work permit policy?
2. Forecast of the new policy of the British government
At the London International Higher Education Forum, Wendy Alexander, vice-chancellor of the University of Dundee, predicted that there are likely to be two reform measures for the visa: one is to shorten the validity period of the visa, such as from 2 years to one year or even half a year for bachelor's and master's graduates, and from 3 years to one or two years for doctoral graduates; The other is to allow only graduates of "high-quality universities" to apply, such as the Russell Group.
This is basically in line with the Times report, and the final policy is likely to be one or the other. When the new policy will come into effect, and whether students graduating this summer will be affected, will know in a few days.
3. Why should the post-graduation work permit policy be reformed?
At present, the pressure of immigration in the UK is relatively high, and the society generally believes that a large number of immigrants crowd out the living space of local people. According to the survey, the UK government is concerned that some people are working in "low-skilled jobs" in the UK by enrolling in low-ranking universities in the UK and obtaining post-graduation work permits.
The British media named five universities, which are the University of Portsmouth, De Montfort University, the University of Hertford, Coventry University and the University of Creative Arts.
4. What about Chinese students?
For students who still want to stay and work in the UK, it is important to pay attention to this policy change, and it is recommended that you prepare for the following:
1. Pay close attention to policy changes:
Understand the changes in the graduation visa policy and adjust your plans as soon as possible.
2. Scientific school selection:
According to current projections, in the unlikely event that the UK government restricts the applicant's graduate school, students who attend prestigious schools will have an advantage, and some of the schools that are ranked lower or do not meet the requirements may be eliminated.
When you apply, you should plan well and be sure to apply to the best universities within your ability.
3. Accumulation of work experience:
If the post-graduation work permit period is greatly shortened, there will be less time left for everyone to find a job in the UK, so it is recommended that you actively participate in internships, part-time jobs and other activities to accumulate work experience and improve your employability.
International students who apply for visas through formal channels and purposes do not need to worry too much, as Chinese students generally do not apply to universities that may be optimized. However, if the shortening of the visa period is established, it will indeed bring certain troubles, and there are higher requirements for the students' own abilities.
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