International students enrolled in British universities are concerned that the government’s recent announcement of offering a two-year post-study work visa to future students could leave them in a disadvantageous position. As per the announcement, the new policy will only be applied to those graduating from summer 2021. The current immigration policy, which was introduced by Theresa May in 2012, allows students just four months to secure work after graduating. A petition has been initiated calling for the government to extend the visa rules to international students currently studying in the UK.
According to the petition, thousands of international students, who are presently pursuing studies in the UK, are gaining valuable skills, but due to the lack of a post-study work visa for two years, they face significant challenges in securing a job. Further, employers might prefer to wait for the students with the two-year work permit, leading to reduced opportunities for existing and upcoming graduates. Several international students expressed their opinions stating their concerns regarding the existing policy.
Umair, a Pakistani student who recently graduated from a university in the Midlands with a master’s degree in IT security, explained his challenging experience, saying that it was almost impossible for international students to secure jobs due to companies not wanting to sponsor their visas. He welcomed the recent change, which could benefit future students but requested the government to consider extending the deadline for current students too.
Muhammad Junaid Asif Sahi, another Pakistani student who is pursuing a master’s degree in transport planning and engineering at Edinburgh Napier University, said that the existing four-month window for students was just a formality, and he wasn’t sure if he would be eligible for the extension. This uncertainty about the policy’s application could potentially affect his future opportunities. According to reports, some students graduating in 2020 could attain an extension, while others argue only 2021 graduates could do so. Hassan Sheikh, who completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Manchester, shared a similar concern.
Jessica Martins, a student from Brazil pursuing her master’s degree in corporate communications, marketing and public relations at the University of Leeds, expressed her disappointment at the fact that the extension would not be available to current students. She said that if she had known about the policy, she would have delayed coming to the UK to complete her studies. She is due to complete her studies in January and hoped that her degree could help her secure a job.
Laura, a US citizen, obtained a master’s degree in European politics from King’s College London in 2018. She was unable to secure employment before the deadline and was forced to leave the UK after four months. Laura expressed her devastation about leaving the life she had built behind and returning home to America, where she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. She believes her qualifications, which were focused on UK and EU relations and earned her a distinction for her Brexit dissertation, could be beneficial to British employers. However, she received over 100 rejections from companies who were hesitant to employ foreigners.
Despite her frustration, Laura remains hopeful and wishes to return to the UK to overcome the professional limbo she finds herself in. She sees the recent extension of the post-study work visa as a positive development and an indication that the hostile UK immigration climate may be coming to an end. Laura was overjoyed at the news and cried tears of happiness, believing that there is finally a chance to reclaim her life in the UK.
Riddi Viswanathan, an Indian former international student and current employee at the University of Manchester, has been advocating for an extension of the post-study work visa for five years. She is thrilled that the government has made a U-turn on the issue. Riddi understands the immense pressure that international students face when trying to complete their dissertations while searching for employment during the four months that were previously available. She believes that the extension is a positive step, but also acknowledges that international students encounter a host of other challenges.
The cost of tuition fees, which are already high for international students, is likely to increase further for those from the EU, and there is currently no certainty surrounding the settlement scheme, EU funding, or the future of Erasmus after Brexit. Additionally, non-EU students are facing rising visa costs and increased immigration health surcharges. Riddi reminds us that it’s crucial to recognize and address these challenges for current and prospective international students, even as we celebrate the recent extension of the post-study work visa.