A new report by Policy Exchange, a centre-right UK think tank, has raised alarm over the growing use of student visas as a “backdoor” to long-term settlement in the UK.
The report argues that the original purpose of student migration is being undermined by an increasing trend of international students using education as a pathway to permanent residency. The think tank further called for the graduate visa route to be scrapped entirely for all students except those pursuing postgraduate research degrees.
“Studying in the UK has increasingly become a route to sustained immigration, rather than education,” the report stated.
UK International Students Skyrocket
According to the report, the number of international students in the UK grew by 66% between the 2014/15 and 2023/24 academic years. In 2023, 40% of students who arrived on student visas switched to a different visa type within one year, a sharp increase from just 3% in 2019.
Zachary Marsh, the report’s author and a research fellow at Policy Exchange, argued that UK universities should focus on delivering education, not immigration pathways.
“While international students bring economic benefits, too many are now using the student and graduate visa routes primarily as an entry point into the UK labour market. A tougher approach is needed to restore public trust,” Marsh said. The report also raised concerns that international students may be displacing UK students from university places.
The findings will be discussed at a Policy Exchange event in London, where Shadow Education Minister Neil O’Brien is expected to echo some of the report’s concerns.
“It’s not just taxpayers losing out,” O’Brien will say. “Too many students are lured into courses that don’t deliver good outcomes, leaving them with huge debts and poor wages. We must ask if there are better ways to invest taxpayers’ money.”
UK Universities Response
In response, Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group which represents 24 leading UK universities defended the graduate visa.
“In today’s competitive global education market, the UK must remain attractive to international students. The graduate visa allows them to work and contribute after graduation. Universities are committed to working with government to eliminate abuse and ensure only genuine students are admitted.” He said.
A government spokesperson acknowledged the concerns and noted that reforms are already underway.
“We’ve reduced the graduate visa length from two years to 18 months, and we’re tightening enforcement on visa approvals, enrolments, and course completions,” the spokesperson said. “We remain committed to welcoming genuine international students who support our world-class universities but we will not tolerate abuse of the system.” He noted.