UK introduces new visa scheme to graduates from top foreign universities
UK announced on Monday, May 30 that it has launched new visa scheme to allow graduates from the world’s top 50 non-UK universities to apply to come to the United Kingdom.
The UK government believe that the “high potential individual” route, which begins on Monday, will attract the “best and brightest” young people to work in the UK.
Those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree will be granted a two-year work visa, while PhD holders would be granted a three-year visa.
Beneficiary’s can then “transfer to alternative long-term employment visas, assuming you meet the eligibility requirements,” according to government instructions.
Graduates from the top 50 non-UK universities who have earned a degree that is comparable to a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree within the last five years are eligible to apply, according to reports from The Gazette.
Although the Home Office would to comment on the figure, the Telegraph stated that the visa scheme will be unlimited, meaning that the number of visas available would be determined by demand.
Eligible universities must rank in the top 50 of at least two of the following world university rankings: Times Higher Education, Quacquarelli Symonds, or the Academic Ranking of World Universities.
The UK government has published an online list of eligible universities for 2021, which includes 20 US institutions as well as universities from Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, France, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Candidates must also pass a security and criminality check, as well as speak, read, listen, and write English at the B1 intermediate level, according to the government.
B1 intermediate level is defined by the British Council, the UK’s worldwide agency for cultural connections and educational opportunities, as “those who have the sufficient fluency to communicate with native speakers without difficulty.”
The visa will allow eligible persons to enter the UK without a job offer and to bring their dependents with them.
The visa will cost £715 plus the immigration health surcharge, which is a levy paid by successful visa or immigration applicants that permits them to use the NHS.
Anyone applying for the visa must have a minimum of £1,270 in living expenses.
“This new visa option guarantees that the UK can continue to recruit the best and brightest from around the world,” said chancellor Rishi Sunak. The UK will become a prominent international hub for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship as a result of this strategy.
“We want tomorrow’s enterprises to be established here today, which is why I encourage students to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start their careers here.”
“I am happy to be unveiling this new and exciting route as part of our points-based immigration system, which prioritizes aptitude and talent over where someone comes from,” said Priti Patel, the home secretary.
People traveling to the UK for work must meet strict standards under the government’s points-based immigration system.
Due to the government’s points-based immigration system, those travelling to the UK for work must meet specified standards for which they will receive points, and visas will be granted to those who earn enough points.
