UK post-study work visa changes dampen Indians, International students

United Kingdom, 17th January: Recent changes to UK post-study work changes have dampened the spirits of Indian graduates.

This has left Indian graduates puzzled about the significance of studying in the UK.

Tougher UK post-study work visa norms affecting Indians—Stricter rules for UK post-study work visas have left a large number of Indian students high and dry.

These rules are deterring Indian graduates from getting a UK post-study work visa easily. No wonder, a fall of 65 percent has been noted in the number of Indian student enrollments in masters degrees, figures for the last three years indicate.

Tougher UK post-study work visa norms have declined the attraction of UK as a destination for studying abroad among international students. Recent figures show a sharp and a noticeable fall in international student enrollments in the UK universities.

So, ‘what to do now’ is the question in the minds of such Indians. Every year, an increasing number of Indians wanting to study overseas move to the UK to earn international degrees.

And they borrow huge amounts of money just in the hope that they will get employment in the UK after successful completion of their studies in the UK.

But, the recent changes have left a deep mark on their efforts to do so.

International students shying from UK--It’s not just the Indians who are affected by stricter UK Post-study work visa rules. In fact, a large number of student faculties from several other nations are equally impacted. And this means a downfall in the number of students coming forward to move and study in the UK.

International student applications have witnessed a noticeable slump if latest UK universities figures are considered. And the onus must go to stricter or unfriendly UK post-study work visa rules.

Consider, for instance, the case of a Chinese student enrolled at Sheffield University for master’s degree. Jin Yang spent nearly £27,000 for pursuing two-year course in landscape architecture in the UK. And she successfully completed the course in November.

But to her dismay, she was asked to move out of the UK latest by 1st January even before attending her graduation ceremony although her UK student visa is valid till May this year.