"Deep concerns" about timelines of Migration Advisory Committee review

International students deliver huge benefits to the UK, and the Graduate visa has played a crucial role. We welcome the opportunity to engage with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to make a robust, evidence-based case on the value of the current system.

However, we are deeply concerned by the accelerated timetable, which appears to be driven by political – not policy – concerns. The government should give the MAC the time it needs to properly review the Graduate visa, allowing the committee to consider the full range of evidence and engage in meaningful consultation, rather than asking them to rush their response.

It is also important to recognise that the purpose of the Graduate route is not primarily to address UK labour market shortages, but to enhance the competitiveness of the UK as a study destination. Post-study work matters for many international students, allowing those who have invested in our country the opportunity to find work and contribute to the UK economy.

Having publicly recommitted to the Graduate route on its current terms in May 2023, any further changes would be extremely damaging to our reputation as a welcoming destination for international students, and risks undermining a UK success story that generates more than £20 billion a year in export earnings for the economy.