A new report by the UK-based think tank Policy Exchange has raised concerns over the increasing use of student visas by foreign nationals as a means of securing long-term residency in the United Kingdom.
According to the centre-right group, international students are “increasingly using university courses as a backdoor to permanent settlement,” rather than solely pursuing academic qualifications. The report calls for the abolition of the current graduate visa route for all but postgraduate research students, describing the existing system as “ineffective” and open to abuse.
“The purpose of student migration should be to study, not to provide a backdoor route to longer-term migration or settlement,” the report states. “Yet increasingly, studying in the UK has become a pathway for widespread and sustained immigration.”
The UK’s graduate visa, introduced to retain talent and boost the economy, currently allows international graduates to remain in the country for up to two years to work after completing their studies. In May, the Labour government proposed reducing this period to 18 months as part of broader immigration reforms. This followed a previous policy introduced by the Conservative government in January 2024, which barred most international students from bringing dependants except those enrolled in postgraduate research programmes or on government-funded scholarships.
Despite these measures, Policy Exchange argues that more stringent reforms are needed. The report highlights a 66% surge in international student numbers between the 2014/15 and 2023/24 academic years. It also reveals that visa switching, where students transition to other visa types rose sharply from just 3% in 2019 to 40% in 2023.
Zachary Marsh, the report’s author and a research fellow in education at Policy Exchange, said the current system encourages immigration over education. “UK universities must return to the business of selling education, not immigration,” he said. “While international students bring economic benefits, many now use the student and graduate visa routes primarily as a means to work and stay in the UK.”
The report also raises concerns that an influx of international students may be limiting opportunities for domestic applicants at some institutions.
The report was launched at a Policy Exchange event in London focusing on higher education and migration. Shadow Education Minister Neil O’Brien, expected to speak at the event, is anticipated to criticize the current system, saying: “It’s not just taxpayers who are losing out. Too many students are promised great things but end up saddled with debt and low-paying jobs.”
In defence of the existing policy, Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group representing 24 leading UK research universities warned against making the UK less appealing to international students.
“In a globally competitive market, the UK must remain an attractive destination for international talent,” Bradshaw said. “The graduate visa route allows students to stay temporarily and contribute to our economy. Universities are ready to work with the government to prevent abuse and ensure the system benefits genuine students.”
A government spokesperson reaffirmed its commitment to tightening immigration controls, noting that recent proposals aim to reduce visa misuse. “We are reforming the system to ensure international graduates enter graduate-level roles, in line with the original purpose of the Graduate route,” the spokesperson said.
They added that the government will impose stricter regulations on universities, including more rigorous enforcement of visa issuance, course enrolment, and student progression, while continuing to welcome legitimate international students to the UK’s globally renowned academic institutions.
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