Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to slash graduate visas for international students, with think tank Policy Exchange claiming universities are offering a “backdoor” to long-term UK immigration.
The group suggests restricting graduate visas to postgraduate researchers only and introducing a £1,000 annual levy for all others. Currently, over 147,000 graduate route visas were granted in the year to June 2024, but many holders earn below the skilled worker threshold.
Critics argue that the system prioritizes migration over education, allowing low-wage job seekers to remain in the UK. Labour’s immigration reforms are now under review, with tighter rules and funding changes expected later this year.
