UK: What Is ‘Fair Visa, Fair Chance’ Campaign Launched By Indian Student Group?

A new "Fair Visa, Fair Chance" campaign was launched on Thursday by one of the UK's most renowned Indian student representation associations.

The campaign supports the post-study Graduate Route visa, which has been extremely popular among Indian students since its inception over three years ago.

What is 'Fair Visa, Fair Chance' campaign?

According to the NISAU UK, the National Indian Students and Alumni Union, there are concerns regarding the potential undoing of the gains accomplished by the current review of the route. UK Home Secretary James Cleverly has commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to evaluate the Graduate Route visa and ensure it is "fit for purpose," with the MAC anticipated to report by the end of next month.

Lord Karan Bilimoria, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Students and patron of NISAU UK, highlighted that the ability for international students to work for two years post-graduation is crucial. This opportunity enables them to earn money to help pay for their degrees and gain valuable work experience, while also fostering strong links with the UK.

Lord Bilimoria emphasized the importance of offering post-graduation work opportunities that are competitive globally, especially against countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. He warned that removing the two-year post-graduation work visa could send unnecessary and damaging negative messages worldwide, potentially leading to a significant decline in international student applications, which contribute significantly to the UK economy.

Defending the Post-Study Working Visa: NISAU UK Chair Expresses Concerns

Since its relaunch for the 2020-21 cohort of international students, a total of 213,250 visas have been granted under the post-study route, with Indians consistently comprising the largest group of students granted leave to remain, accounting for 43% of grants last year, according to the Home Office.

Sanam Arora, Chair of NISAU UK and Commissioner of the UK's International Higher Education Commission, expressed disappointment that defending the Graduate visa is once again necessary, considering it a key requirement for Indian students and a critical offering of the UK's international higher education system.

NISAU UK has been invited to present evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and plans to share its research and insights from the annual India-UK Achievers Honours programme, which celebrates high-achieving Indian graduates contributing to their fields and society.

Recent figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) reveal a concerning trend of declining applications from Indian students, with a reported four per cent drop.

The Home Office cited MAC analysis indicating a significant increase (over 250%) in international post-graduate students attending institutions with lower UCAS entry requirements between 2018 and 2022, raising questions about the effectiveness of attracting the "brightest and the best."

In its annual report, the MAC suggested the need to clarify the purpose of the Graduate Route visa. While successful in increasing international student numbers, the report expressed skepticism about its contribution to attracting talented students for high-skilled graduate jobs, anticipating a significant fraction of the route to comprise low-wage workers.