UK Immigration Committee Finds No Widespread Abuse of Graduate Visa Program Despite Conservative Criticism

University leaders welcomed the MAC’s recommendations, emphasizing that removing the graduate visa would financially harm the higher education sector.

The UK government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has concluded there is no widespread abuse of the graduate visa route, which allows international students to work for two or three years post-graduation. Despite claims from some senior Conservatives that the system is being exploited, the MAC recommends the visa program remain unchanged, stating the risks of abuse are low and do not compromise the integrity of the higher education system.

The report has intensified internal Conservative party disagreements over net migration. Some right-wing MPs, including former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, have criticized the MAC's findings, calling the report a "whitewash" and suggesting the committee's inquiries were limited by the government's terms of reference. Jenrick argued that the MAC’s conclusions were predetermined by the narrow scope of the review, which he claimed was designed to yield favorable results for the government.

University leaders welcomed the MAC’s recommendations, emphasizing that removing the graduate visa would financially harm the higher education sector. They warned that without the income from international students, many universities would face significant financial difficulties, potentially leading to reduced course offerings and less research. The MAC report underscores the importance of international students in sustaining the UK's higher education institutions, both financially and academically.

The government has yet to decide whether it will adopt the MAC's recommendations. Home Secretary James Cleverly plans to thoroughly review the report before making a decision. A source close to the home secretary indicated that Cleverly would meet with MAC chair Professor Brian Bell to discuss the findings in detail.

The MAC report highlights that most graduate visa holders initially find lower-paid work, but their financial outcomes improve over time. This pattern mirrors that of domestic graduates. The report also identifies concerns about potential exploitation by recruitment agents, who may mislead international students about UK higher education opportunities. The MAC recommends better regulation of these agents and more transparency from universities regarding their use.

Additionally, the report criticizes the government for inadequate data collection on the graduate visa program, which hindered a comprehensive assessment of its impact. The MAC suggests that new migration routes should include clear plans for data collection to ensure their effectiveness can be properly evaluated.

The government's response to the review is expected soon, alongside the release of net migration figures from the Office for National Statistics. The findings of the MAC report have brought relief to many UK universities, who feared stricter visa regulations could exacerbate the financial challenges they already face due to declining enrollments and other policy changes affecting international students.

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