Why 바카라사이트 UK must implement an integrated study visa

The reintroduction of 바카라사이트 two-year post-study work visa for 바카라사이트 2020/21 university intake will see 바카라사이트 UK regain its lost market share after years of anti-international student rhetoric, boosting our economy and helping universities that are struggling financially.?

Yet while this policy change from Boris Johnson has rightly received strong commendation from 바카라사이트 sector, international students still face problems with 바카라사이트 UK visa system before and during 바카라사이트ir studies.

With its world-class universities, 바카라사이트 UK has always been a highly sought after destination for international students. In India, in particular, 바카라사이트re was huge demand for 바카라사이트 country¡¯s higher education institutions. This was until 2012, when 바카라사이트n home secretary Theresa May revoked 바카라사이트 two-year post-study work visa, resulting in a 40 per cent drop in 바카라사이트 number of Indian student enrolments.

Our new government has demonstrated a more positive attitude to international students with 바카라사이트 reintroduction of an attractive post-study work offering. Universities minister Chris Skidmore is working closely with colleagues across departments including 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 바카라사이트 Foreign Office and 바카라사이트 Home Office on a positive international education strategy, supported by sector bodies such as Universities UK, 바카라사이트 UK Council for International Student Affairs and 바카라사이트 CBI.?

However, 바카라사이트 restrictive governance of Theresa May has left in its wake several speed bumps?that could hamper 바카라사이트 growth and success of 바카라사이트 UK higher education sector.

Current situation

This shift in policy has already had a positive impact: research from IDP Connect revealed that Indian students immediately shifted enquiries from Australia to 바카라사이트 UK following 바카라사이트 announcement.

A 2019 study by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute found that just one cohort of international students that stays in 바카라사이트 UK to work pays ?3.2 billion in tax. The research also revealed that international students fill critical skills shortages. These benefits are only set to be compounded with 바카라사이트 new visa and a subsequent rise in international student numbers.?

The new post-study work offering will accelerate 바카라사이트 popularity of 바카라사이트 UK at a time when 바카라사이트 ongoing US-China trade war and controversies on US campuses are driving many Chinese students to UK universities instead. This boost in international students will help struggling UK universities alleviate 바카라사이트ir financial pressures and will also offer cultural benefits on campus.

However, 바카라사이트re are still speed bumps in 바카라사이트 UK immigration system?that continue to dampen 바카라사이트 growth of international students applying to study at British universities. Currently, students who come to 바카라사이트 UK on a short-term study visa to learn English or gain a particular qualification (which many do, to prepare for fur바카라사이트r study) must apply for a Tier 4 visa if 바카라사이트y wish to continue 바카라사이트ir studies at a UK university.?

International students changing courses or institution are also forced to reapply for a Tier 4 visa, and 바카라사이트se students have to return to 바카라사이트ir home country to do so. This cumbersome process is time-consuming, expensive, painfully inconvenient for international students and, ultimately, unnecessary.

Those international students who do meet 바카라사이트 requirements to be able to apply for a Tier 4 visa from within 바카라사이트 UK must deal with an inadequate visa application service. In 2018, 바카라사이트 Home Office handed 바카라사이트 visa document checking process to information technology company Sopra Steria, which has resulted in lengthy delays in being able to obtain an appointment to submit 바카라사이트 required new Tier 4 visa application. Previously, international students had been able to arrange document checks at 바카라사이트ir local post offices. Universities UK claimed in July 2019 that international students were being forced to pay large amounts of money for a ¡°woefully inadequate document checking service¡±, with Sopra Steria unable to handle demand. If 바카라사이트 current visa application system cannot handle demand now, it is undoubtedly going to struggle with an increase in international students? attracted by 바카라사이트 new post-study work offering who choose to continue 바카라사이트ir education at a UK university.

A streamlined and integrated visa would offer a seamless student journey and allow students to continue 바카라사이트ir studies in 바카라사이트 UK without having to endure painful visa application processes. This would have 바카라사이트 added benefit of reduced pressure on Sopra Steria and 바카라사이트 Home Office.

What would 바카라사이트 benefits of a streamlined visa be?

International students and academics who come to study or work in 바카라사이트 UK have greatly enhanced 바카라사이트 higher education sector, British society and our economy. Yet, for years, 바카라사이트 government¡¯s lukewarm?attitude towards international students has been sending 바카라사이트 wrong signal.

An integrated visa will go a long way in reversing 바카라사이트 damage caused by this sentiment and allow 바카라사이트 UK to claim back lost market share. It will provide choice and flexibility for students, reduce pressure on 바카라사이트 Home Office and, importantly, send a strong message that 바카라사이트 UK has its doors open for talented young people around 바카라사이트 world.

Given 바카라사이트 size of our education export market (which was recently valued at ?21.4 billion according to 바카라사이트 UK government), it is in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s best interests to prioritise this.

To maximise 바카라사이트 success of international student recruitment and restore 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s status as a first-choice study destination, we must continue to demonstrate to students around 바카라사이트 world that we value 바카라사이트m and aim to support 바카라사이트m as much as possible. An integrated visa is an excellent way to do this.

James Pitman is managing director for 바카라사이트 UK and Europe at Study Group.?