UK opens new graduate immigration route for Indian students

India News Network | July 1
New Delhi:
In a change that may benefit tens of thousands of students from India, the UK has opened a new graduate immigration route allowing Indian students an opportunity to stay longer in the UK after they have finished their studies, said a release of the British High Commission in India.
“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,” UK Home Secretary Priti Patel who was quoted in the release.
“Once they’ve received their world-leading qualification from one of our fantastic education institutions, this new visa will give them the freedom to fulfil their aspirations and advance their careers,” she added.
According to the British High Commission’s release, the Graduate route provides an opportunity for talented international students who have been awarded their degree to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level for at least two years.
Also, 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, it added.
Successful applicants will be issued with an eVisa, and be able to conveniently access this status whenever needed to prove their rights in the UK, the release mentioned.
This is a more convenient application process which means applicants will not have to visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service or re-submit their biometrics, it explained.
Customers who cannot use the app can still apply online but will need to visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service, the British High Commission release informed.
This change stands to benefit tens of thousands of students from India, it said.
In the last year, more than 56,000 Indian nationals were granted a Student visa – a 13% increase on the previous year and almost a quarter of all Student visas the UK issued, the release noted.
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 said further.
It is also an important step in the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, launched by Prime Ministers Modi and 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.
This announcement builds on a strong record of UK-India cooperation on migration issues.
On 4 May this year, the two countries signed an ambitious new migration partnership, including the creation of a new Young Professionals Scheme.
However, the new Young Professionals Scheme is completely separate to the Graduate route.

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