UK's new immigration rules: What Indian students and professionals need to know
The UK has long been a favoured destination for Indian students and professionals seeking quality education and career opportunities. However, recent immigration reforms introduced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government are set to reshape this landscape, bringing both challenges and considerations for prospective migrants.The newly released Immigration White Paper outlines several significant alterations:Extended settlement period: The qualifying period for settlement status in the UK has been doubled from five to ten years.Stricter English language requirements: Applicants and their dependents will now face more rigorous assessments of their English proficiency.Reduced post-study work visa duration: The Graduate Route visa, previously allowing international students to work in the UK for two years post-graduation, will now be limited to 18 months.Closure of the Health and Care Worker visa: This visa category, predominantly used by Indian and South Asian applicants, is set to be axed.These changes are part of the government's broader strategy to tighten immigration controls and reduce net migration figures.HOW DOES IT IMPACT INDIAN STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS?Indian nationals constitute one of the largest groups of student and skilled worker visa applicants to the UK. The reduction in the Graduate Route visa duration may impact their ability to gain international work experience post-study.Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, expressed concerns, stating, "Panic must not be allowed to set in among current and prospective students. Immediate clarity is needed on who is affected and how."
The closure of the Health and Care Worker visa also raises concerns about the future of Indian professionals in the UK's healthcare sector. Dr. Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the UK's Work Rights Centre, highlighted the potential risks, noting that "more people will be put at risk of falling into insecure immigration status, putting them at greater risk of exploitation."The tightening of UK immigration rules comes at a time when the US has also been perceived as less welcoming to Indian students and professionals.With both countries implementing stricter policies, Indian aspirants may need to explore alternative destinations or adapt their plans accordingly.HOW TO NAVIGATE THE NEW LANDSCAPEDespite the challenges, experts suggest that opportunities remain for Indian students and professionals in the UK.Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, said, "From an India lens, with the UK-India FTA in the backdrop that has opened new avenues for collaboration, we are further likely to see prioritisation of talent in programmes where economic value is visible, think healthcare, technology, environment, culinary arts, retail and many such areas."advertisement'I wouldn't read too much in the 24 to 18 month change on graduate route, doesn't change a lot of things. The new English requirements bit was anticipated too, and was due for sure," he said."Universities holding Agent Quality Framework with absolute seriousness and focusing on compliance (hopefully they'll let technology lead it) is great news, and atleast in India we saw the British Council driving this significantly for a while now, so did BUILA and others," he added.Prospective migrants are advised to stay informed about the evolving policies, seek guidance from official sources, and consider sectors that continue to welcome international talent.(With PTI inputs)
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