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Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
UK's new immigration rules likely to affect Indian students, professionals
There was a mixed reaction as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday set out tighter new rules to clamp down on soaring immigration figures, which is set to impact Indians as one of the largest groups of student and skilled worker visa applicants to the UK. The new rules, framed in a new Immigration White Paper, double the standard qualifying period for settlement status in Britain to 10 years and impose stricter English requirements, with assessments of improvements in language skills embedded within the visa rules for applicants and their dependents. Overseas student visas, a category dominated by China and India, will witness a tightening of the post-study Graduate Route visa offer from the current two years to 18 months.'While we are relieved that the Graduate Route has been preserved, albeit with a reduced duration, we urge that its implementation, and that of the wider reforms, be approached with care, clarity, and collaboration,' said Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK. The organisation flagged concerns about the impact on Indian students, the largest users of the Graduate Route with an aim of acquiring international work experience at the conclusion of their degrees. 'Panic must not be allowed to set in among current and prospective students. Immediate clarity is needed on who is affected and how,' NISAU said. The group also called for better alignment between student and skilled worker routes, another category dominated by Indians and set to face tougher minimum salary requirements. 'We are pleased to see recognition of our long-standing calls for better alignment between immigration and skills, and we strongly support the push for greater transparency and accountability in education agent practices, for which we have laid out very clear asks,' added Arora. Almost every UK visa category is set to be impacted by the White Paper, with the Health and Social Care visa – led by Indians and other South Asian applicants – in line to be axed. 'The closure of the Health and Care Worker visa to new applicants has been framed as a response to growing exploitation, but with the numbers of visas granted to first time entrants already dwindling, it is but a distraction,' said Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the UK's Work Rights Centre. 'Because of this failed visa scheme, thousands of migrant care workers already in the UK are facing destitution, and the government is yet to offer them any workable support. What they need is not more hostility and victim-blaming, but the flexibility to take their skills to the businesses that need and value them,' she said. The group also condemned as 'arbitrary' the lengthier period before migrants can claim settlement rights in the UK because it would introduce unfairness into an already hostile system. 'More people will be put at risk of falling into insecure immigration status, putting them at greater risk of exploitation, and potentially even increasing the number of people with undocumented status,' added Vicol. In his Downing Street speech, Starmer said that without the tough new rules the UK risks 'becoming an island of strangers'. 'As this White Paper sets out, every area of the immigration system – work, family, and study – will be tightened up so we have more control. 'Skill requirements raised to degree level; English language requirements across all routes – including for dependents; the time it takes to acquire settled status extended from five years to 10; and enforcement tougher than ever because fair rules must be followed,' he said, promising that migrant numbers will fall as a result of the measures.
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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
UK's new visa rules hit Indian students and workers hardest: Explained
The United Kingdom's new Immigration White Paper, released on May 12, 2025, introduces a stricter framework across work, study and settlement routes, likely to affect Indian nationals, who make up a large portion of international students and skilled visa applicants. Longer path to settlement and higher English requirements The new rules will double the standard qualifying period for settlement from five to ten years. English language requirements will now apply to more applicants, including dependants, and improvement in language ability will be monitored throughout the visa duration. 'Skill requirements raised to degree level; English language requirements across all routes – including for dependents; the time it takes to acquire settled status extended from five years to 10; and enforcement tougher than ever because fair rules must be followed,' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking from Downing Street. The Graduate Route visa, which currently allows students to remain in the UK for two years after completing their degree, will now be limited to 18 months. 'While we are relieved that the Graduate Route has been preserved, albeit with a reduced duration, we urge that its implementation, and that of the wider reforms, be approached with care, clarity, and collaboration,' said Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, speaking to PTI. Earlier in the day, Arora wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'I understand that the Graduate route will be reduced from 24 months to 18 months after completion of studies. It is not yet clear how this impacts existing students and incoming ones for the September 2025 intake.' NISAU called for immediate clarification to avoid confusion among international students, especially those from India who form the largest user group of the Graduate Route. 'Panic must not be allowed to set in among current and prospective students. Immediate clarity is needed on who is affected and how,' NISAU said. Skilled worker routes to become more selective The reforms are also expected to tighten the skilled worker visa category, introducing tougher minimum salary requirements and further scrutiny. 'The White Paper establishes whole new approaches to migration, be it for education, work, or family,' Mamta Shekhawat, founder of told Business Standard. 'The pathway to permanent residency for students will become longer and more competitive, making it harder for graduates to remain in the UK unless they demonstrate exceptional value to the economy or society.' Shekhawat added that with these changes, it has become even more important for students to focus on test preparation and academic performance. 'We encourage students to stay informed, focus on academic excellence, and develop skills that align with the UK's evolving priorities for international talent,' she said. The Ministry of Education told the Rajya Sabha in November 2024 that 136,921 Indian students were studying in the United Kingdom. In the 2022–23 academic year, Indian student enrolment rose by 39% to 173,190, making India the top source of non-European Union students in the UK—overtaking China for the first time since 2018. Care visa route to close One of the most controversial changes involves the closure of the Health and Social Care Worker visa route to new applicants. In 2023, nearly 1,40,000 health and care visas were issued, with Indian nationals receiving about 39,000 of them. 'The closure of the Health and Care Worker visa to new applicants has been framed as a response to growing exploitation, but with the numbers of visas granted to first time entrants already dwindling, it is but a distraction,' said Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the UK's Work Rights Centre, in comments to PTI. She said the scheme's failure had left thousands of migrant care workers in precarious conditions. 'Because of this failed visa scheme, thousands of migrant care workers already in the UK are facing destitution, and the government is yet to offer them any workable support. What they need is not more hostility and victim-blaming, but the flexibility to take their skills to the businesses that need and value them,' she said. Vicol also criticised the extended settlement period as arbitrary and warned it could increase the number of undocumented migrants in the UK. 'More people will be put at risk of falling into insecure immigration status, putting them at greater risk of exploitation, and potentially even increasing the number of people with undocumented status,' she added. With PTI inputs
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Indian students union in the UK sigh over retention of graduate route amidst immigration reforms
The National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU) has expressed approval of the UK government's decision to retain the graduate route for international students in its recently announced immigration white paper. The graduate route allows international students who have completed a degree at the bachelor's level or higher in the UK to stay and work or search for work for up to two years, or three years for doctoral students. However, the new immigration policy proposes to reduce this period to 18 months, as per a report by The Times of India. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare Sanam Arora, founder and chair of NISAU told TOI, 'We deeply welcome the UK government's decision to retain the graduate route — a critical element of the UK's global education offer. While we are saddened by the six-month reduction, alternatives under consideration would have been significantly worse.' She added that the next crucial step is to ensure that any changes to the policy are implemented in a fair, transparent, and student-focused manner. NISAU, which has been advocating for the continuation of the graduate route for over a decade, has worked closely with policymakers from all major political parties, including those in the current government. The organisation highlighted that international students play a key role in funding their education, driving innovation in UK universities, supporting local economies, and fostering international ties. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The union also raised concerns about the impact of the reduced graduate route duration on Indian students, who make up the largest group benefiting from this scheme. 'For 70% of Indian students, a strong post-study work offer is the single most important factor in deciding where to study abroad ,' the press release by NISAU stated. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The union welcomed the UK government's new policy aimed at stricter regulations for education agents. It has recommended a sector-wide cap on agent commissions and mandatory publication of the fees paid to each agent by universities, which would prioritise student interests over financial incentives. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ UK's immigration crackdown to impact Indian students, workers UK announces measures to tighten immigration policies amid rising voter anger India to benefit from relaxed UK visa rules under new trade deal « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT NISAU remains optimistic about the UK government's focus on strengthening immigration routes for global talent, innovators, and high-potential individuals, further boosting opportunities for international students in the UK.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Indian students organisation in the UK relieved over retention of graduate route for post-study work
AI image for representation The National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK ( NISAU ), an apex organisation in the UK representing students, alumni, and young professionals of Indian origin, has welcomed the UK government's decision to retain the graduate route for international students in its white paper on immigration announced on Monday. The graduate route is open to international students in the UK who have completed a course of study in the country at the bachelor's degree level or above. Students on the graduate route are currently allowed to work or look for work after their studies for a maximum period of two years, or three years for doctoral students. The immigration policy white paper proposes to reduce the graduate route to 18 months. 'We deeply welcome the UK government's decision to retain the graduate route — a critical element of the UK's global education offer. While we are saddened by the six-month reduction, alternatives under consideration would have been significantly worse,' Sanam Arora, founder & chair, NISAU, said. She added that the most important task now is to ensure the implementation of changes is urgent, fair, clearly communicated, and student-first. 'We are pleased to see recognition of our long-standing calls for better alignment between immigration and skills, and we strongly support the push for greater transparency and accountability in education agent practices, for which we have laid out very clear asks,' Arora said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Real Size In A New Vacation Photos 33 Bridges Undo NISAU has worked extensively over the past decade — and particularly intensively in the last year — with policymakers across all major political parties, including many now in government, to advocate for the continuation of the graduate route, a press release from the organisation said. 'International students are a distinct, high-contribution, temporary category of migration. They fund their own education, power innovation in universities, sustain local economies, and build enduring bilateral ties between the UK and countries around the world,' the NISAU press release said. The organisation has expressed concern about the impact of the new rule on Indian students, the largest users of the graduate route. 'For 70% of Indian students, a strong post-study work offer is the single most important factor in deciding where to study abroad. The ability to gain significant international work experience is critical. Our statement to the Migration Advisory Committee was duly noted in last year's review of the graduate route,' the press release added. NISAU has also welcomed the UK government's policy initiative towards stricter rules for education agents. 'We recommend a sector-wide cap on agent commission to ensure that student interests are prioritised over volume incentives and mandatory publication by universities of agent appointment processes and the fees paid to each agent, after every intake,' the press release said. NISAU is upbeat about the strengthening of the global talent, innovator founder, and high potential individual routes of immigration.
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
UK's Immigration Crackdown To Impact Indian Students, Workers
London: There was a mixed reaction as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday set out tighter new rules to clamp down on soaring immigration figures, which is set to impact Indians as one of the largest groups of student and skilled worker visa applicants to the UK. The new rules, framed in a new Immigration White Paper, doubles the standard qualifying period for settlement status in Britain to 10 years and imposes stricter English requirements, with assessments of improvements in language skills embedded within the visa rules for applicants and their dependents. Overseas student visas, a category dominated by China and India, will witness a tightening of the post-study Graduate Route visa offer from the current two years to 18 months. "While we are relieved that the Graduate Route has been preserved, albeit with a reduced duration, we urge that its implementation, and that of the wider reforms, be approached with care, clarity, and collaboration," said Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK. The organisation flagged concerns about the impact on Indian students, the largest users of the Graduate Route with an aim of acquiring international work experience at the conclusion of their degrees. "Panic must not be allowed to set in among current and prospective students. Immediate clarity is needed on who is affected and how," NISAU said. The group also called for better alignment between student and skilled worker routes, another category dominated by Indians and set to face tougher minimum salary requirements. "We are pleased to see recognition of our long-standing calls for better alignment between immigration and skills, and we strongly support the push for greater transparency and accountability in education agent practices, for which we have laid out very clear asks," added Arora. Almost every UK visa category is set to be impacted by the White Paper, with the Health and Social Care visa - led by Indians and other South Asian applicants - in line to be axed. "The closure of the Health and Care Worker visa to new applicants has been framed as a response to growing exploitation, but with the numbers of visas granted to first time entrants already dwindling, it is but a distraction," said Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the UK's Work Rights Centre. "Because of this failed visa scheme, thousands of migrant care workers already in the UK are facing destitution, and the government is yet to offer them any workable support. What they need is not more hostility and victim-blaming, but the flexibility to take their skills to the businesses that need and value them," she said. The group also condemned as "arbitrary" the lengthier period before migrants can claim settlement rights in the UK because it would introduce unfairness into an already hostile system. "More people will be put at risk of falling into insecure immigration status, putting them at greater risk of exploitation, and potentially even increasing the number of people with undocumented status," added Vicol. In his Downing Street speech, Starmer said that without the tough new rules the UK risks "becoming an island of strangers". "As this White Paper sets out, every area of the immigration system - work, family, and study - will be tightened up so we have more control. "Skill requirements raised to degree level; English language requirements across all routes - including for dependents; the time it takes to acquire settled status extended from five years to 10; and enforcement tougher than ever because fair rules must be followed," he said, promising that migrant numbers will fall as a result of the measures.
