Migration Committee Recommends Extension for PhD Holders, Maintains Two-Year Validity For Graduate Programs

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has put forward recommendations to uphold the current two-year validity period for the United Kingdom’s Graduate route visa while suggesting an extension to three years for PhD holders.

In their latest report titled “Rapid Review of the Graduate Route,” MAC emphasized the need for maintaining the integrity of the UK Higher Education system amid concerns about potential misinformation by recruitment agents targeting international students.

The committee, chaired by Prof. Brian Bell, along with Prof. Dina Kiwan, Prof. Sergi Pardos-Prado, Dr. Madeleine Sumption MBE, and Prof. Jo Swaffiel, highlighted the success of the Graduate route in achieving government objectives. They recommended its continuation in its current form.

While acknowledging the absence of substantial evidence of abuse within the Graduate route, MAC raised red flags regarding the involvement of recruitment agents, particularly in certain markets, who may be providing misleading information to prospective international students.

Despite voluntary frameworks introduced by the sector to address these concerns, MAC questioned their effectiveness, advocating for mandatory requirements to ensure adherence to best practices. They also urged universities to enhance transparency by publishing information on their use of agents.

The proposed measures aim to safeguard the integrity of the UK Higher Education system, ensuring a fair and transparent process for international students pursuing post-study opportunities in the country.