The Graduate Visa route will be reduced from two years to 18 months. There appears to be no differentiation or exceptions for PhD or other doctoral graduates.

The Government also intends to explore the introduction of a 6% tax on income from international students, payable by education providers and earmarked for reinvestment in the domestic skills sector.

These changes form part of a broader review of the UK’s international education strategy and are likely to affect both student recruitment and institutional compliance arrangements. Sponsors should review their current recruitment approaches and make changes where necessary ahead of the changes.