Good news for Indians, Britain may allow foreign students to work longer

Of the 1.1 million immigrants who came to the country last year, 476,000 were international students. Of these, India became the largest source of students with 161,000 students including 33,240 dependents coming to the UK last year. There are 1.3 million vacant positions, nearly half a million more than before the pandemic, and businesses are facing labor shortages, according to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Government sources told The Times that removing the cap on foreign students’ working hours was part of a series of ideas being considered.

Foreign students can stay in UK after the course

Having said that the idea is at a nascent stage. But Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s plans to reduce the number of foreign students coming into the country could come to a halt. With net emigration numbers rising to an estimated record of 504,000 last year, Braverman has drawn up proposals to reduce the number, including reducing the length of time foreign students can stay in the UK after their course. Limiting the number of dependents allowed in the UK and restricting foreign students attending ‘low-quality’ courses are also being considered.

However, according to the Department for Education, the restrictions would bankrupt UK universities, which rely on foreign students for money. According to UK-based New Way Consultancy, overseas students and their dependents not only drain the UK economy through fees of £10,000 to £26,000 but also through an NHS surcharge of £400 per year for a student and £600 for a dependent. Contributed to It also warned that curbs on graduate work visas would force Indian students to relocate to countries such as Australia and Canada, eventually leading to the end of the student market in the UK.