Following the election of a new prime minister for the United Kingdom in the person of Keir Starmer on 5 July 2024, there is the clear expectation among experts and other relevant stakeholders of a slew of more immigrant-friendly policies, particularly regarding education and employment opportunities for international students. The victory of Starmer over the former Leader of the Opposition, Rishi Sunak, means that already there is wide speculation over what changes a new government might bring, particularly in terms of the Graduate Route Visa, and more generally, how the visa process is run.

In the last few months, the most resounding debate has involved the Graduate Route Visa, through which international students can work or seek employment in the UK after graduation for a period of two years. The last UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had announced plans for canceling this visa route to control the high immigration numbers and trim down part of the immigrants who use the graduate visa as a means towards permanent residency in the UK. The proposal by Sunak aims to tighten immigration control in perilous times when concerns about population management and economic pressures are on the rise.

However, a report out this morning from the Migration Advisory Committee recommended that the Graduate Route Visa should remain in its current form. It detailed the harm supposedly wrought by scrapping this visa route—most importantly to UK universities, which would be opened to huge financial hardship, job losses, course closures, and a reduction in research activity. The MAC, therefore, underlined that this graduate route visa would be very important to attract international students, who are not only important for the financial health of different institutions but also contribute to the global reputation of UK HEIs.

Experts are now pitching for the expansion of the Graduate Route Visa and other streamlined visa procedures to ease the entry into and stay in the UK for both international students and skilled workers.

In fact, scholars and those pursuing fellowships are presented with many different opportunities, including:

Furthermore, stakeholders have been demanding that the government headed by Labor Party leader Keir Starmer announce more scholarships and fellowships to international students. Rather than mulling over restrictions, there is a demand for framing policies to make the UK more attractive as the destination for higher education. An expanded system of financial aid to international students will not only help needy students but also build a diverse and vibrant academic community.

ONE Economic and Academic Contributions

International students are a significant economic gain. They swell college revenues as a result of increased tuition fees, spend money on living, and pump life into the economy through their part-time jobs. Additionally, foreign students would further diversify the academic environment through cultural exchange and collaboration in research and innovation. Maintaining and increasing the Graduate Route Visa was therefore perceived as central to holding on to these gains.

Opinions of Experts on the New Government

Both immigration and education experts are hopeful that new policies by the government would go the extra mile to incorporate and integrate the success of international students. “We are optimistic that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will understand the value brought in by international students to the UK, and instantiate policies that reflect this,” says Dr. Jane Smith, an education policy analyst. “Expanding the Graduate Route Visa and simplifying the process for a visa will ensure that the UK retains its position as one of the top places of study globally for students.

Though the exact details of policy changes are yet to be known fully, experts have been keenly watching what changes the new government can bring regarding immigration and education. Some potential areas of interest include:

1. The holding on of the Graduate Route Visa should be in place so that international graduates can stay and be part of building the UK economy for at least two years.
2. Reducing Visas Bureaucracy: Making the process of applying and obtaining student visas and working visas friendly so as to reduce redtape and hordes of delays.
3. More Scholarships and Financial Aid Packages: More scholarships, fellowships, and other financial aid packages offered to prospective foreign students.
4. More and Better Integration Programs: More programs designed for integrating international students into UK society and the labor market, such as language support and cultural orientation programs.

The election of Keir Starmer as the new prime minister of the UK has caused ripples of jubilation among those who were according priority to the demands of NGOs working for more immigrant-friendly policies. This responsiveness is likely to be clearer as the new government settles in and formulates its direction with regard to international students and the immigrant community. Meanwhile, all of these measures, combined with ameliorating visa processes that constrain many international students and with more generous funding levels, might render the UK extremely more inviting for higher education and skilled migration. For the moment, stakeholders are still optimistic that this Starmer-led government will make good on its commitment to a more inclusive and supportive approach to immigration and education.