UK’s new and simplified international student immigration route opens early

In a significant development for international students, on 10 September, the UK Government tabled its new point-based international student immigration rules in the parliament, which has cleared the decks to welcome the best and brightest international students earlier. The student route will open on 5 October. Earlier it was scheduled to be launched in September 2021.

The new route will treat all European and non-European students equally, including Indian Students. It will allow them to take advantage of the new simplified and streamlined student visa process.

The tier 4 visa route will be replaced by a new and simplified point-based system under which a total of 70 points are required to study at a UK university.

The new student route is not capped, which means any number of student visas can be issued under it. It is worth mentioning here that in the International Education Strategy published in March 2019, the UK government stated to increase the number of international students in higher education.

International students comprise an important segment; by making policy changes, the UK government is striving to maintain its competitiveness in the higher education industry. The government wants to ensure high-caliber talent choose The UK as their study destination, study there, and contribute to research and development.

“Launching the Student route early sends a clear message to the world we want the best and brightest to come to the UK to study at our globally renowned education institutions.”, said Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster.

Further, reassuring to retain the best and the brightest, The UK government has said that it would launch the Graduate route in the summer of 2021, enabling international graduates and PhD students to extend their stay for up to two to three years, respectively. During this period, students can find suitable jobs and gain valuable experience.

Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, said: “India accounts for one of the UK’s largest group of international students and our world-leading education system has always been a key part of our bilateral relationship. Last financial year, nearly 50,000 Indian nationals were granted a study visa - they are the ambassadors of the Living Bridge that connects our countries… Now that we have left the EU, we can introduce this streamlined visa route and the Graduate Route in summer 2021, to ensure the brightest and the best students continue to pick the UK,”

Indeed, the UK offers excellent opportunities for Indian students. Those who are aspiring to leverage their career by studying in the UK can meet Pyramid’s UK visa experts and file their applications. To know about the application process, you can call us at 92563-92563 or visit any of our branches.