UK Graduate Visas Exploited by Foreign Nationals for Immigration

Home Secretary James Cleverly launches a comprehensive review of graduate visas amid rising concerns over potential misuse by foreign nationals. Cleverly announced plans to task the Migration Advisory Committee, an independent body, with reassessing the graduate route.

Highlighting the importance of prioritizing education over immigration, Cleverly aims to ensure that the visa, allowing foreign students to stay in the UK for up to two years post-course completion, serves educational purposes. This comes in response to a significant 57% increase in individuals staying under the scheme, exceeding 114,000 last year.

Concerns arise that courses with the lowest UCAS entry requirements (make up, liberal arts, religious studies, creative writing, anthropology, philosophy, graphic design, music, education, English literature) are targeted by foreign nationals as a gateway into the UK. Cleverly emphasizes the need to prevent abuse of this route, protect higher education integrity, and align with national interests.

Starting today, care workers arriving in Britain will be restricted from bringing family members. Cleverly's decision follows data indicating that 100,000 care workers brought 120,000 relatives to the UK in the year ending September 2023.

Care providers employing foreign care workers in England will now be mandated to register with the Care Quality Commission. The Home Office, citing evidence of visa misuse, underscores the necessity to protect care workers from false offers and exploitation.

Upcoming legislation will raise the minimum salary for skilled foreign workers securing a visa, excluding care workers. Effective April 4, the minimum salary increases from £26,200 to £38,700. A 20% discount on minimum earnings for migrant workers in shortage sectors will be abolished, and the list of 'shortage occupations' will be reformed.

The Home Office aims to lower record net migration by implementing measures, including higher financial requirements for families bringing foreign-based relatives. Starting April 11, the minimum income requirement, stagnant since 2012 at £18,600, rises to £29,000 and further to £38,700 by early next year, anticipating a reduction of 300,000 individuals annually.