NEW DELHI — The United Kingdom Home Office has officially opened the new post-study work visa for international students. It would offer overseas graduates from India and other destinations to apply for the right to stay on for job experience at the end of their university courses.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the Graduate route visa last year and opened applications from this week. It is expected to particularly benefit Indian students as they choose their degree courses based on the prospect of work experience.
The Graduate route is designed for international graduates who have been awarded their degree from a recognized UK university to stay on and look for work for at least two years.
“Under the UK government’s points-based immigration system, talented students from India and across the globe now have the opportunity to kick-start their careers in the UK at the highest levels of business, science, technology, and the arts,” Priti Patel said in a statement.
“Once they have received their world-leading qualification from one of our fantastic education institutions, this new visa will give them the freedom to fulfill their aspirations and advance their careers.”
Jan Thompson, Acting British High Commissioner to India, said the numbers show that UK universities are already a popular destination for Indian students, contributing immensely to the unique living bridge between the UK and India.
“The Graduate route will further help students who wish to stay and work in the UK, strengthening this bond between our two countries even more,” she said.
“Cooperation in higher education is one of the crucial commitments in the UK and India’s 2030 Roadmap, and this is another positive step in that direction.”
“It is really heartening to see the response from Indian students who have placed their trust in a UK education to shape their careers,” said Barbara Wickham, Director India, British Council.
“The UK is equally committed to enabling Indian students to realize their dreams through the benefits of the Graduate Route. It is testament to both countries’ continued focus on realizing their mutual knowledge ambitions in a fast-evolving world.”
“The British Council is engaging with Indian students who plan to pursue a UK education this autumn by organizing webinars, and Facebook lives to provide all the information prospective students need.”
The British High Commission’s release further stated that the launch of the new Graduate route shows the UK Government’s commitment to attracting talented individuals from India and across the globe to bring their talent to the UK and develop their skills further.
It is also an important step in the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, launched by Indian Prime Ministers Modi and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May 2021, which will deepen the institutional relationships between the UK and India, including between Governments, the private sector, higher education, and civil society.
“India and the UK are committed to a partnership that delivers for both countries,” said India’s external affairs minister in a statement.
“Our 2030 vision is for revitalized and dynamic connections between our people; re-energized trade, investment and technological collaboration that improves the lives and livelihoods of our citizens.”
“Enhanced defense and security cooperation that brings a more secure Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific and India-UK leadership in climate, clean energy and health that acts as a global force for good.”
For the first time, the vast majority of applicants to the Graduate route will be able to apply in a fully digital way, using the UK Immigration—ID Check smartphone app. Successful applicants will be issued with an eVisa and conveniently access this status whenever needed to prove their rights in the UK.
More than 56,000 Indian nationals were granted a student visa in the last year — a 13 percent increase from the previous year and almost a quarter of all student visas the UK issued.
(With inputs from ANI)
(Edited by Amrita Das and Saptak Datta)
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