UK's immigration vs ￡50 bn dilemma

"2 years stay back visa brings ￡50 bn" as simple as that. But Do you want the students, their money or win the next poll?

The problem in the UK is that conservatives don't want immigration to rise especially when it comes to international students under graduate visa scheme that allows them to work for 2 years post studies but they also don't want to lose on approx. ￡50 bn contributed to the UK Economy by the same international students cohort each year

In early 2000's, Theresa May cut down on the stay back visa that impacted around 80,000 International students

The impact was massive.

• Universities suffered financially
• Smaller colleges had to close down courses and many their own campuses due to the lack of international students
• Labour market suffered given the scarcity of global talent
• Brexit was icing on the cake

However after 7 long years, UK gov being pushed by the UK universities and a falling GDP, the stay back visa was brought back which was not only a snub to May's policies but also a major relief for local varsities.

This boosted the confidence of international students, particularly from the South Asia, countries like India, Pakistan and African giants like Nigeria, Kenya.

In 2023, more than 1.2 lac Indian students went to study in the UK as against merely 20,000 in 2018. This huge influx had to face its own challenges. In Jan 2024, UK govt once again played dice and the result was no dependent visas to International students .

UK's nature of playing see saw with international students has impacted the local economy and higher education ecosystem badly.

Here are some of the major outcomes of UK Gov's policies over the years:

1. Visa and Immigration Policies: Changes in visa and immigration policies can impact international students, affecting their ability to study, work, or remain in the UK after graduation.
2. Tuition Fees and Financial Support: International students often face higher tuition fees compared to domestic students. Obtaining financial support or scholarships can be challenging, leading to financial strain.
3. Accommodation: UK's real state prices are soaring and the cost of living for international students has touched the roof. With over 13,000 GBP to be shown for a student visa for London metropolitan area, it's becoming tough for international students to find suitable abode in the UK
4. Employment Opportunities: Despite low or no linguistic barriers, securing part-time jobs or internships to support themselves financially and gain work experience can be competitive for international students due to visa restrictions and limited opportunities. More and more students are returning home due to saturated job market. Imagine, UK Gov producing 1.2 lac jobs per year only for Indian students who choose to study in UK. Highly improbable!
5. Healthcare & Social Security: Understanding and accessing the healthcare system in the UK, including registering with a general practitioner (GP) and navigating the National Health Service (NHS), can be complex for international students. The Pie News mentioned, ''The Immigration NHS Surcharge for students applying to study in the UK is set to rise by 66% when it increases from ￡470 to ￡776 for students on February 6, 2024 ''

6. Post-Study Options: While the 2 years period looks fancy, it comes at a cost. You have to shell out close to 3,000 GBP in order to merely apply for the stay back visa. Navigating post-study options, such as obtaining work visas or exploring further education opportunities, can be uncertain and dependent on changing government policies and market conditions.

These challenges highlight the importance of universities and support services in providing assistance and resources to help international students overcome obstacles and thrive during their time in the UK.

The purpose of this article is not to criticise UK and its higher education system, in fact its one of the oldest university systems in the world, home to some of the most prestigious universities, business schools, art and fashion schools. Country is beautiful, people are welcoming, but the dangerous game played by the politicians has not only deteriorated the life of international students but also created a negative image of the country when it comes to student mobility.

Will times change? Most certainly yes, the problem is we don't know, when!