How does Brexit affect international students and working migrants in the U.K.? Before answering it, you should briefly know what Brexit is? It started five years before when the U.K. finally divorced the E.U. on June 23, 2016, via referendum.

Brexit finally happened on January 1, 2021. On New Year's Eve, when there was no going back for the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation, "This is an amazing moment for this country, we have our freedom in our hands, and it's up to us to make the most of it."

 What is Brexit?

The word Brexit is from two words: "British" and "exit." It indicates the exit of Great Britain from the European Union. Brexit is taken from a somewhat similar term used in the past called "Grexit." It refers to 2012 when Greece almost left the Eurozone due to financial instability.

How Does Brexit Affect International Students and Working Migrants in the U.K.?

How does Brexit affect international students and working migrants in the U.K.? Brexit has affected foreign students and working migrants in both good and bad ways. 

After Brexit, the new immigration policies of the U.K. shocked the entire world. It has its flaws, but the problem is that people are not ready to accept something new, even if it is better than the previous one.

According to new policies, the immigrants need to reapply for the visa as the visa is only valid for one year. Now, it seems tiresome, especially for those looking for permanent jobs. Also, highly skilled people will be preferred over manual labourers. Moreover, there won't be any freedom of movement between the U.K. and E.U. So, these are some of the downsides that the immigrants might face. 

Apart from these, the new conditions can also offer significant benefits. To some level, we can see that the rules have become a bit constraining for E.U. citizens. E.U. citizens (except for the Irish) will need to follow the same rules as non-EU citizens in case they want to shift to the U.K. Simply if you're going to move to the U.K., you will face the same rules regardless of the place you are from. 

Effect of Brexit on International Students

In the survey of 2019, of 150 plus countries, many students showed more interest in studying in the U.K than before Brexit. Mainly because now students have better chances of getting into the universities of their liking.

According to a Graduate visa, students can stay for two years (3 for Doctorate students) after graduation. Students will need their student visa (Tier 4) to apply for a PSW visa. There is no need to provide evidence of financial stability. But they do need a visa fee of £700 and a Health Surcharge of £624 per year.

Post Study Work (PSW) visa provides the students with a golden opportunity to build a future. So, if you are a student looking for the best education and future, then the U.K. is the best option.

Can International Students Work in the U.K. After Brexit?

In 2021, the United Kingdom will open a new graduate immigration path (a post-study employment visa). International students will be able to work in the U.K. for two years after completing their degree, which is three years for PhD students. 

There is no requirement for you to find work before applying for this visa. Also, there are no restrictions on the salary level, employer, or position you take. We encourage you to seek graduate-level positions to make the most of this opportunity. You can also change occupations and companies without restriction during your visa time. You may even start your own business with the help of our Ingenuity Lab. 

If you meet the conditions, you can apply for another U.K. visa route after the two-year or three-year visa period. Alternatively, you can return to your home country to further your career, capitalizing on the skills and experience you obtained while working as a graduate in the U.K.

Effects of Brexit on Immigration

Let's get into the merits and demerits of Brexit regarding immigration.

• Migrants from all over the world will have to face the same rules. It will help create a sense of equality among the E.U. and non-EU immigrants.
• Skilled workers will be preferred. So, highly skilled people would not face many difficulties during immigration.
• People living on work visas are not subject to having a higher salary to become permanent residents.
• The Irish people do not need a visa to enter or stay in the U.K. It is because of the common travelling zone.
• The new policy provides students with two years of work opportunities after graduation.

However;

• There is restricted freedom of movement between the U.K. and E.U. after Brexit. 
• The immigrants need to reapply for a visa after a certain time. Thus, it can be pretty hectic for those looking for permanent work. 
• Migration would be challenging for people lacking a specific set of skills.

Final Thoughts

People were curious about how does Brexit affect international students and working migrants in the U.K.? But actually, Brexit has brought us a sense of fairness and equality for all. Now, immigrants worldwide will enjoy equal opportunities irrespective of where they belong. Also, this step will make it a lot easier for immigrants to secure a well-paid job in the U.K. Apart from all that, introducing a PSW visa will help many students realize their destiny while staying in the U.K.

In short, post-Brexit immigration policies, either for work or studies, are way better than before. That's why it won't be wrong to say that this might be the best immigration policy of the U.K. in years.