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A confident international graduate in professional attire standing outside a modern London office building, holding a diploma folder. The image represents the transition from student life to a professional career under the UK Skilled Worker Visa route.

How to Switch from Student Visa to Skilled Worker Visa in the UK?

As international students near the completion of their studies in the UK, thoughts often turn towards the next step in their professional journey. For many, remaining in the UK to begin a career is an attractive option. However, doing so requires careful planning, particularly when it comes to switching immigration routes before the expiry of your current visa. Applying in good time not only ensures compliance with immigration rules but also helps avoid potential complications such as overstaying or application refusals.

How to Switch from Student Visa to Skilled Worker Visa in the UK? Read More »

A realistic editorial photograph of a red-brick UK university building with the Union Jack flag, books, graduation caps, and a balance scale symbolising the levy on International Student income funding maintenance grants for British students; muted tones, professional and academic atmosphere.

Labour Confirms International Student Levy to Fund Maintenance Grants

The Labour government has confirmed that a new levy on UK universities income from international students will be used to fund the reintroduction of targeted maintenance grants for disadvantaged domestic students. The announcement, made by education secretary Bridget Phillipson at the Labour Party Conference 2025, marks a major shift in how higher education funding will be distributed.

Labour Confirms International Student Levy to Fund Maintenance Grants Read More »

Illustration of UK immigration and asylum system showing student visas, asylum claims, and loopholes, reflecting how international students use asylum to stay in the UK.

Why Apply for Asylum When Other Legal Routes Exist to Stay in the UK? 

UK Home Office has announced a new campaign targeting international students who overstay their visas, warning tens of thousands that they risk removal from the United Kingdom. This comes against the backdrop of what the government has described as an “alarming” rise in the number of students legally entering the UK on study visas only to claim asylum when their leave to remain expires, even though we could assume they have successfully completed their degrees and are eligible to apply for a Graduate visa or seek a suitable job in the UK under the Skilled Worker route. 

Why Apply for Asylum When Other Legal Routes Exist to Stay in the UK?  Read More »

UK to Enforce Tougher University Compliance Standards from September

The UK Government will introduce tougher university compliance standards through more stringent Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) measures for universities from September 2025, marking a significant shift in oversight of international student recruitment. The move, outlined in this year’s immigration white paper, comes amid mounting political and media attention on asylum claims made by individuals holding valid study visas.

UK to Enforce Tougher University Compliance Standards from September Read More »

Empty university classroom with books on desks, symbolising potential impact of Foreign Student Ban and tighter UK student visa rules

UK Universities Risk Foreign Student Ban Amid Rise in Asylum Claims

UK universities could soon face strict recruitment limits or even a foreign student ban if too many international graduates submit asylum claims after finishing their studies. UK Government is preparing to impose new performance thresholds for institutions that sponsor student visas, in a bid to tackle what ministers describe as “misuse” of the immigration system.

UK Universities Risk Foreign Student Ban Amid Rise in Asylum Claims Read More »

A diverse group of graduates in caps and gowns holding hands in celebration, symbolizing international students affected by the UK's new Graduate Visa changes.

UK Tightens Post-Study Visa Rules, Reducing Graduate Visa from 2 Years to 18 Months

The UK government has announced significant changes to its post-study work visa, shortening the duration international graduates can remain in the country after completing their studies. Previously, graduates could stay for up to two years under the Graduate Route visa, but this will now be reduced to just 18 months.

UK Tightens Post-Study Visa Rules, Reducing Graduate Visa from 2 Years to 18 Months Read More »

Courtroom symbolising legal reform, reflecting the Labour government's Immigration White Paper proposals to tighten UK migration rules and settlement pathways

Labour’s Immigration White Paper: Key Changes to UK Migration Policy

UK government has unveiled a comprehensive Immigration White Paper aimed at significantly reducing net migration. The proposed reforms within the Immigration White Paper seek to tighten visa rules, prioritise skilled workers and address public concerns over rising immigration levels. Below are the key measures outlined in the policy document.

Labour’s Immigration White Paper: Key Changes to UK Migration Policy Read More »

UK Tightens Visa Rules for Nationalities with High Asylum Claims

UK Tightens Visa Rules for Nationalities with High Asylum Claims

UK tightens visa rules as the Home Office imposes stricter restrictions on nationals from countries with high rates of asylum claims, including Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, in a broader crackdown on immigration abuse. Under the new measures, work and study visa applications will face tougher scrutiny, with officials using financial records and behavioural patterns

UK Tightens Visa Rules for Nationalities with High Asylum Claims Read More »

International graduate holding a cap and diploma, symbolising the transition from student visa to work visa in the UK.

From Student Visa to Work Visa: How to Stay in the UK After Graduation

Every year, thousands of international students arrive in the UK, investing in world-class education, building professional networks and gaining skills that could benefit the UK economy for years to come. Yet, when graduation arrives, many find themselves facing an uphill battle to stay and build their careers here. The transition from a student visa to work visa is far from straightforward. While the UK offers several routes to move from a student visa to work visa, each comes with its own complexities.

From Student Visa to Work Visa: How to Stay in the UK After Graduation Read More »

UK immigration changes 2025, highlighting new visa rules for care workers and students, reduced overseas recruitment, and fairer immigration policies.

UK Immigration Changes 2025: New Visa Rules for Care Workers and Students Announced

UK Government has announced significant UK immigration changes 2025, introducing new visa rules for care workers and international students. These measures aim to reduce the country’s reliance on overseas recruitment and address record levels of immigration. Here’s a detailed look at the key updates and their implications.

UK Immigration Changes 2025: New Visa Rules for Care Workers and Students Announced Read More »

A line graph showing trends in UK sponsored study visa applications (in thousands) from January 2022 to November 2024. The solid purple line represents main applicants, and the dashed gray line represents dependants. Peaks are visible in summer months each year, with a significant drop in dependant applications starting January 2024. Key annotations include "May 2023: Announcement on dependant restrictions" and "Jan 2024: Most students no longer able to bring dependants," highlighting policy changes that caused the decline.

UK Study Visas Drop by 16% Due to Stricter Rules

The latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) paint a striking picture of the decline in UK Study Visas. This downturn is driven primarily by recent policy changes targeting international students and their dependants. Recent statistics released by ONS highlight a significant decline in the issuance of UK study visas, driven by policy

UK Study Visas Drop by 16% Due to Stricter Rules Read More »

Graduate_Visa_MAC_Review_Morgan_Smith_Immigration

MAC Finds No Abuse in Graduate Visa Program, Recommends Keeping it Intact—A Huge Relief for International Students

The Home Office requested the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to conduct a review of the Graduate Route. In light of its findings, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has suggested in its recent review that the Graduate visa route should be retained, highlighting its significant advantages for both UK education and international graduates. This visa allows international students to work in the UK for two years after completing their studies. The MAC’s findings are crucial in shaping the future of this visa category.

MAC Finds No Abuse in Graduate Visa Program, Recommends Keeping it Intact—A Huge Relief for International Students Read More »

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