The UK government has announced that as a part of the new graduate route, international students who complete a PhD from Summer 2021 can stay in the UK for three years after study to live and work. As Indian students continue to be the biggest group of international students, an extended post-study work visa offer for PhD students, as well as a streamlined visa process by the UK government come as a huge relief to Indian students who are sensitive to the UK’s student visa policies.
“As previously announced, students who have successfully completed undergraduate and master’s degrees will be able to stay two years after study. This will make it easier for some of the best, young international graduates to secure skilled jobs in the UK and contribute to economic growth,” said a statement released by the British government. The statement also highlighted that prospective students can make visa applications in the extended window, and study time limits at postgraduate level will be removed, allowing all students to switch to another type of visa from within the UK
“Indian PhD students, who have chosen the UK education and work experience route to develop their careers will experience three years in an international context that will benefit these professionals immensely,” said Barbara Wickham, Director India, British Council. “This also strengthens our existing programmes such as UKIERI [UK-India Education and Research Initiative] and Newton Bhabha that aim to drive academic links and research collaboration between our two countries,” she said.
“The post-study work visa will be of particular appeal to students from India, who are very sensitive to whether or not they have an ability to stay on in the country after they graduate to put to use the skills they have acquired in higher education and earn a bit of money to help them pay the pretty considerable fees that our universities charge them,” says former UK Universities minister Jo Johnson, who had pushed for an extended post-study visa offer in a recent report.
