Low grade foreign students may face deportation - UK

The United Kingdom Migration Advisory Committee has stated that foreign students on two-year graduate visas who do not get excellent grades may be prevented from remaining in the United Kingdom.

As part of a five-point plan to reduce net migration by 300,000 from its all-time highs, the UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, was reportedly tasked with reviewing the graduate visa (The Telegraph).

It was reported that over 98,000 students were granted two-year visas to remain in the United Kingdom following their June 2023 graduation, a 74% increase in just one year.

"There are concerns that it is being exploited as a backdoor to work in the United Kingdom, frequently in low-skilled positions, or to stay for two years without being required to work," the statement continued.

Prof. Brian Bell, Chairman of the MAC, stated, "There is no prerequisite in the form of specific grades in your university courses or anything similar.

"That is the inquiry we aim to examine in the graduate programme in order to determine whether that is rational or whether a requirement should be placed on students to attain a specific grade or type of accomplishment in their course."

Bell stated that his committee would also examine whether additional restrictions should be imposed, requiring foreign students to attend particular universities or complete particular courses in order to remain in the United Kingdom. Additionally, it might be restricted to particular occupations or activities.

"At this time, your actions are not restricted in any way. If you have the financial means, you can do nothing but remain idle in the United Kingdom for two years. You may also accept employment at the minimum wage or at a very high salary.

Furthermore, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman advocated for the elimination or reform of the graduate visa due to concerns that it fueled immigration and was susceptible to abuse.

Jenrick stated in a Telegraph article from the previous week, "The graduate route is poised for comprehensive reform. An excessive number of universities have shifted their focus from providing education to facilitating migration, advertising low-quality, brief courses as a means to enter the United Kingdom.