There has been too much commotion with US and its corresponding work visa, H1B visa concerning many Indians that go there in extensions of jobs and bachelor’s or master’s studies. With this comes uncertainty and too many factors of ambiguity, thanks to President Trump (sarcastically).
Now that US has been listed down by many Indian students as the first priority for pursuing their education or for work, other countries like Canada, Australia, UK, Ireland and many more have been emerging with great interests in sheltering Indians and other Asians in their countries.
On the similar lines, the Prime Minister of UK, Boris Johnson announced that he shall restore the two-year post-study work visa for international students, which will definitely impact thousands of Indian students, residing and making up their minds to go to UK.
The Appreciated Immigration Route Restored
Until now, the international students who’d come to Britain to pursue their bachelor’s of Master’s degree, could stay and work for only four months, while those at 27 universities could bargain off a 6 months period in the country. With just a 4-6 months work permit, employers in the UK were reluctant to offer jobs to such students.
Fortunately, things have been changed now. The new immigration route announced by the UK PM Boris Johnson, brings in a brighter path for international students, which surely will impact thousands of Indians. As per this, foreign students in any subject, after completion of their education at undergraduate level or higher level will be able to stay in the UK for two years to find work.
Students will need to have Tier 4 leave at the point the route is introduced. This includes students who start courses in 2020/21 at undergraduate level or above.
Simplifying this new route even further, it allows students to search for jobs at any skill level for two years after they graduate, without worrying about converting their visa or leaving the country. The best news however, is that there will be no cap on the number of students who can apply for the new graduate route.
Coexisting Norms Benefiting Indians and the UK Govt
It so happens that in 2011, Theresa May, the then home secretary of the UK abolished the two-year post-study work visa, which was a major attraction to the Indian students. This led to lesser and lesser Indians enrolling for a future in the UK. There was an immediate 55% drop in Indian student numbers coming to Britain. The numbers fell down significantly:
- From 51,218 in 2010-11 to 22,757 in 2011-12
- It went further down to 15, 388 in 2017-18.
However, things have changed now and for the good. Students from India are very well-educated and come to the UK looking for international work experience that will enable them to stand apart in global and Indian job market.
These jobs in the UK have helped many Indians to clear off their loans, which they had borrowed to fund studies. Also, these international students make immense positive and important contribution to UK and universities is both cultural and economic sense.
Evidence shows that international students bring significant positive social outcomes to the UK as well as £26 billion in economic contributions.
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