Allowing people to stay in the UK after finishing their studies is a huge draw to international students, says Jessica Turner. Other countries are innovating their visa systems, so why can’t we?

Allowing people to stay in the UK after finishing their studies is a huge draw to international students, says Jessica Turner. Other countries are innovating their visa systems, so why can’t we?
Freedom of movement between the UK and EU ended on 31 December 2020. The UK has now implemented a points-based immigration system that treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. Anyone you want to hire from outside the UK, excluding Irish citizens, will need to apply for permission in advance.
International students affected by Covid-19 measures are campaigning for compensation from the UK government. Foreign undergraduates – whose tuition fees are uncapped – told the BBC their university experience had been severely affected by travel bans.
Today (4 March 2021), the UK Government has confirmed that the Graduate route will open for applications on 1 July 2021. This will allow the UK to retain the brightest and the best international students to contribute to society and the economy post-study.
You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you: