The reintroduction of the post-study work visa for 2020/2021 university intake is projected to help the UK regain its lost market share after years of anti international students campaign in the country.
This was a reversal of a policy introduced in 2012 by the then home secretary Theresa May which revoked the two-year scholarship. This reversal has received praise and commendation from the education sector who see it as a move in the right direction. Yet, even with this reversal, international students still face problems with the UK visa system during and before their studies.
Reintroduction of post-study work visa
A study done in 2019 by the Higher Education Policy Institute found that international students who stay in the UK after completing their study contribute £3.2 billion in tax. The study also found that these students fill the critical skills shortages in the country.
The boost in the number of international students due to this reversal will greatly help the struggling UK universities to relieve some of their financial pressures. The students will also be able to contribute to the economy of the UK and offer cultural benefits on campus they are admitted.
However, there is still much to be done on the visa application process. For instance, students who come to the UK to study English are required to reapply for a tier 4 Visa if they want to continue with their studies. This requires them to travel back to their home countries in order to reapply afresh for a new visa.
Changing courses midway or institutions is also cumbersome because you also have to apply for a tier 4 visa. If they do not meet the qualification for a tier 4 visa, they also have to reapply again in their home countries.
Streamlining the process and integrating it with the post-study visa would help address some of the problems international students face. It would also offer students a seamless student journey and allow students to continue their studies in the UK without having to endure the pain of visa application again.
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