The UK’s two-year graduate visa should remain in place, according to a major independent review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC found no evidence of widespread abuse, supporting the case to keep post-study work rights for international students.
The graduate visa allows international students who complete eligible courses in the UK to stay for two years to work or seek employment. This pathway has come under recent scrutiny as part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce legal migration. However, the MAC’s rapid assessment clearly highlights that, importantly, the graduate route does not undermine the quality or integrity of the UK’s higher education system.
Instead, the visa supports the financial health of universities. The report states that the graduate route helps institutions offer a wider range of courses and offset losses from domestic student funding and research costs. It also notes that the policy has broadened the diversity of institutions benefiting from international student contributions.
Universities across the UK welcome the findings, which align with their ongoing push to protect international student pathways. The graduate visa plays a vital role in making the UK an attractive study destination. Removing or restricting it could harm the country’s global competitiveness in higher education.
The MAC emphasized that international students who stay under the graduate route contribute positively to the UK economy and society. Their skills, innovation, and spending create a net benefit.
Maintaining the two-year graduate visa is a strategic move for the UK. It preserves educational excellence, economic value, and global influence. As the government evaluates future immigration policy, the MAC’s evidence-based recommendation strengthens the argument to keep the graduate route intact.
