International students in Britain may face deportation if they don’t secure a graduate-level job within two years of completing their studies. The government’s upcoming immigration white paper is expected to introduce measures to address rising migrant numbers by limiting visa options, requiring overseas graduates to find employment or leave the country. Currently, graduates can remain for up to two years without a job, but tighter regulations are anticipated as the government aims to reduce net migration.

According to the Home Office: “Our upcoming immigration white paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system, linking immigration, skills and visa systems to grow our domestic workforce, end reliance on overseas labour and boost economic growth. We are not getting into a running commentary on what will be contained in the white paper.”

The target

The UK government is targeting careers where salaries plateau after a few years, with a potential salary requirement for graduates to stay in the country. Brian Bell, chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, suggested a salary range of £36,000 to £40,000 annually. However, government sources have reportedly denied that the threshold would be that high, reports The Times.

Responding to reports about potential salary thresholds for graduates, Jo Grady, General Secretary of the University and College Union, criticised the proposal, highlighting concerns over its impact on students and workers. “This threat to further restrict international students’ ability to live and work in the UK when higher education is already on its knees, is bad for the sector, bad for the economy, and bad for our standing in the world.”

What do the numbers say?

Each year, around 150,000 overseas students are granted graduate visas in the UK, contributing to 10% of net migration, according to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Recent data shows long-term immigration exceeded emigration by 728,000 in the 12 months up to June, underscoring the growing impact of international students on the UK's migration landscape. Around 150,000 overseas students receive graduate visas annually in the UK, with most completing postgraduate courses. A third attend Russell Group universities, and students from India, Nigeria, China, and Pakistan make up 70% of these visas.

Home Office data from last year reveals that half of those on graduate visas eventually left the UK, while 43% transitioned to skilled worker visas. The remaining individuals either switched to smaller visa schemes or returned to a student visa.

Skilled worker visa

At the beginning of 2022, the UK government made care workers earning £21,000 annually eligible for a skilled worker visa. About 20% of those transitioning from the graduate visa to a skilled worker visa end up as care workers, with roughly 25% taking jobs with salaries under £24,000. According to the MAC last year, “there was “a small portion of the graduate route cohort [who] prioritise settlement above their future career prospects” and that “students may be working at a level below their experience and training.”