The Rishi Sunak-led Conservative Party suffered a significant defeat to the Labour Party, headed by Keir Starmer, in the UK general election earlier this month. Despite Rishi Sunak’s status as the first Hindu British Prime Minister with roots in India, his loss is disappointing for many in India. Sunak’s right-wing party was not viewed favorably by prospective immigrants from India and other parts of the world.
In fact, the Conservative Party government led by Rishi Sunak had implemented a series of policies aimed at restricting immigration.
These policies include phasing out dependents’ visas for students, planning to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda, and discontinuing visas for dependents of care workers.
Indian students looking to study or work in the UK have several visa options available :
Students can apply for undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programs. Some may also bring a spouse as a dependent. Upon arrival, they can transition to another visa category, such as a Tier 2 visa or the Graduate Route visa.
Here’s a breakdown of the types of visas :
- Student Visa : This visa is issued by a licensed provider, which grants a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once you have been offered a place in a course. You must have a CAS before applying for the visa. The duration of the visa typically extends only a few months beyond the length of the course.
- Skilled Worker Visa : This visa allows a citizen of another country to come to or remain in the UK to perform an eligible job with an approved employer. It has succeeded to the Tier 2 (General) work visa.
It also permits you to work in UK waters, which includes the territorial seas adjacent to the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. To apply, you need a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ (CoS) from your employer, detailing the role you’ve been offered in the UK.
- Dependent Visa : You can apply for a dependent visa for your spouse if you are a government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts more than six months.
For a master’s level course starting from January 1, 2024, the course must be either a PhD, doctorate, or a research-based higher degree.
- Graduate Route Visa : This visa allows you to stay in the UK for at least two years after successfully completing a course. You must be in the UK at the time of application. The visa is valid for two years, or three years if you have completed a PhD.
Extending your Graduate visa is not permitted. However, you may switch to a different visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa.
It’s worth noting that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reviewed this visa and recommended that it continue in its current form.
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