The British government researched possibly fraudulent usage of the graduate visa. This visa allows international students to work in the United Kingdom for two or three years after graduating. Travellers who want to stay in the United Kingdom for a maximum of 6 months, can use the UK ETA instead.
ETA UK for a short study in the United Kingdom
Citizens of Ireland and the UK are allowed to study in the United Kingdom without a visa. If you come from another country, you most likely need a visa. At the moment, citizens from EU-countries may study in the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. Soon, however, continental Europeans will need to apply for a digital travel authorisation (ETA) to attend a short study programme. This UK ETA will most likely become mandatory for continental European travellers at the end of 2024. A study visa is required for any study programmes lasting more than 6 months.
Strict rules against fraud with study visas
On 1 January 2024, the British Home Office introduced stricter rules for study visa applications. The new rules forbid international students to bring their family members to the United Kingdom during their studies. The announcement also mentioned that there are plans to make it more difficult for people staying in the UK on a British work visa to bring their family members to the United Kingdom. The stricter measures are supposed to limit fraud with the study and work visas.
Discussions surrounding the graduate visa
The plans also include stricter rules for the graduate visa. This visa is intended for recent international graduates who want to stay in the United Kingdom to work or to look for work. Prime minister Rishi Sunak considered revamping or even completely abolishing the graduate visa, as there were reports of the visa undermining the integrity and quality of Britain’s higher education. The prime minister also mentioned targeting recruitment agencies who use aggressive tactics and misleading information to recruit students overseas. Now, the plans to abolish the graduate visa seem to be off the table.
Graduate visa should remain available
A recent study of an independent advisory committee found no large-scale fraud related to the graduate visa. According to the committee, the visa does not undermine the education system. Although it confirms that foreign recruitment agencies do spread false information to lure international students to the UK, this issue is not related to the graduate visa, which allows students to stay and work in the UK after graduating. Therefore, the committee advocates for the graduate visa to remain available in its current form.
Relief at British universities
Board members of various British universities said to be happy with the outcome of the study. According to them, the income from students with a graduate visa is essential for Britain’s higher education. Tightening the rules surrounding the graduate visa would be an enormous financial setback for universities, as international students pay a higher tuition fee than British students. If the graduate visa was discontinued, universities would have to make cuts and possibly discontinue certain courses. Therefore, universities call on the British government to clarify the future of the graduate visa as soon as possible.
UK ETA for a short course or study programme
From the end of 2024 onwards, travellers from continental Europe will probably have to apply for an ETA if they want to study in the UK for a short time. The ETA may be used for a holiday, business trip or to study in the United Kingdom, but you are not allowed to work for a British company. Only if you work in the creative sector, e.g. as an artist, musician, actor or dancer, you may use the ETA to work in the UK under certain conditions. If you want to work in any other sector in the United Kingdom, you need a visa. Students who would like to work in the UK after graduating may apply for a graduate visa.