UK Global Graduate Talent Visa to Be Introduced

Major universities in the UK are urging the local government to look into producing a new work visa for their graduates. The proposed post-study work visa was first announced by Universities UK (UUK), the main representing organization in the region, during their annual press conference.

The Global Graduate Talent Visa                                                                   

International students with a Global Graduate Talent Visa in the UK would be able to work in the country after their graduation for as long as two years. During this time, the visa will not have any limitations when it comes to the level of their chosen job or even their salaries.

Unlike the current visa, this one will permit work in the UK within a wider range of companies, including small- and medium-sized organizations that are not sponsors of Tier 2 General Work visa due to its high cost.

More Options for Graduates in the UK

Should the implementation of this visa take place? The UUK promised that it will be a massive competitive advantage for the UK against other major countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The UK has maintained its position as one of the top destinations for overseas students. The country welcomes about 450,000 international students per year, with 134,835 born in Europe. Similar visa policies are already available in other countries, which make them more attractive for students looking to study abroad.

The visa will provide universities currently registered as sponsors of the Tier 4 visa, the current student visa, to further sponsor their students after they graduate. Higher education institutions will have a major role in the graduates’ search for employment experience in the UK, with more flexibility and freedom than with a general Tier 2 visa.

Fighting Brexit in the UK

Last year, there has been a lot of concern on whether the UK will lose its position as a popular destination for international students due to Brexit. Today, no great certainty is available as to what Brexit will mean for studying in the UK. However, the UUK sees this visa as a great opportunity to make students feel more welcome in the country.

The President of UUK and current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Professor Dame Janet Beer, explained that “The ability to work in a skilled job for a limited period after graduation is, for many prospective international students, an important part of the overall package when deciding to study.”

“We are proposing a new graduate visa that would make the UK more attractive to students and would allow a wider range of employers, in all parts of the UK, to benefit from access to talented graduates from around the world,” he continued.