The United Kingdom (UK) government has announced that it will be reducing the time international students can stay in the UK upon completion of their studies.
As detailed in the Restoring Control over the Immigration System document published on Monday, May 12, the time will be reduced to 18 months.
The move is aimed at eliminating instances where foreign students extend their stay beyond the time stipulated by the government.
"The Graduate route was launched in July 2021 as an unsponsored route, which allows students to stay in the UK for two years (or three years for PhD students) after graduation. The purpose of the route is for international student graduates to work, or look for work, following the successful completion of an eligible course," read the statement in part.
"We recognise the valuable contributions that graduates make to the UK, but it is important that those who stay transition into graduate-level jobs and are properly contributing to our economy. Therefore, we will reduce the ability for Graduates to remain in the UK after their studies to a period of 18 months."
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Additionally, the UK is considering introducing a levy for international graduates who work in the UK.
"The Government will explore introducing a levy on higher education providers' income from international students, to be reinvested into the higher education and skills system," read the document in part.
Apart from the students, the new policy changes also target Kenyans seeking employment in the UK.
For instance, in the new changes, the UK abolished the recruitment of caregivers following the scrapping of the social care visas.
"We have been clear about our concerns about the Adult Social Care visa. The introduction of this visa route has led to significant concerns over the abuse and exploitation of individual workers.
"We have taken steps to address these concerns, restricting access to overseas recruitment unless employers have first tried to recruit from the in-country redeployment pool, but the evidence shows more needs to be done. We will therefore end overseas recruitment for social care visas," the UK government noted.
