Monday 8 January 2024

On 4 December 2023, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced plans for the MAC to conduct a review on the Graduate route. This review aims to ‘ensure it works in the best interest of the UK and to ensure steps are being taken to prevent abuse’ by reviewing its effectiveness in retaining high-skilled workers. While more information is yet to be published regarding the exact nature of this review, it is likely that MAC will focus on how the route is potentially being misused to attract lower-skilled work. The government has addressed that it currently has no plans to abolish the route, but any decision on the future of the route will be most likely influenced by MAC’s findings. This could include significantly reducing its scope, or even scrapping the route altogether.

Any potential limitations or abolition would particularly influence Indian, Nigerian and Chinese nationals studying in the UK, as they currently account for 64.7% of all accepted applications (42.7% from India alone). Research has shown that international students contributed almost £42 billion to the British economy in 2021/22.

This news comes alongside upcoming changes for prospective Graduates, as all students except those undertaking a PhD will no longer be able to bring dependants with them to the UK from 1 January 2024. Graduates can only sponsor dependants if they previously sponsored them under the Student route, meaning that an estimated 92% of future international student dependants could be prevented from applying as Graduate dependants.

The Graduate review is expected to begin this month, with plans of it running until ‘late 2024’. This is likely to allow for MAC to complete its updated review on the Shortage Occupation List (soon to become the Immigration Salary List) for early 2024.

Future updates

LDI will monitor the situation as it progresses throughout, if you would like to stay updated please subscribe to our mailing list. Alternatively, see our website and contact your assigned LDI or enquiries@lauradevine.com if you believe you may be affected by any upcoming changes.