UK move to cut post-study visa period could spell trouble for Indian students

The post-study visa time for international students will be cut short in the UK. It may be necessary for Indian students in the UK to leave if they are unable to find employment within six months of graduating.

Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary, has suggested new guidelines for the UK Graduate Visa. This occurs at a time when immigration rates are at an all-time high. Indian students now outnumber Chinese students in the UK, according to statistics released by the Home Office last year.

The UK Department of Education, however, "strongly opposed" this suggestion.

Currently, international students—including Indian students—are allowed to stay in the UK for an additional two years while searching for employment there.

The UK Home Secretary's proposal would limit this post-study stay to a period of six months, though. Then, if they wanted to stay in the UK, students would need to find employment there and apply for a work visa.

This plan is being opposed by the Department of Education because it will reduce the appeal of higher education in the UK and have an impact on the number of students who apply there. Right now, especially for Indian students, the UK is one of the best locations for higher education.

This development occurs at a time when the UK is dealing with rising immigration rates.

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