UK stakeholders are seeing a dramatic surge in international students who, soon after enrolment, leave their studies to skills take up employment offers within the care sector.
Changes made to the skilled worker visa system mean that applicants no longer need a degree-level qualification in order to submit an application.
Students can make the switch from student to skilled worker visa without needing to complete their studies, providing they have a job offer with an approved Home Office employer.
There is a booming trend of overseas immigration consultants utilizing universities in the UK as an expedited route for their clients to enter the UK and switch to care jobs, thus avoiding full tuition fee payments.
For those looking for full-time employment in the UK, this route provides a more budget-friendly and speedy option compared to traditional postgraduate courses. Instead of shelling out expensive course fees and living expenses during studies, you can pursue an alternative path which could lead you straight into your desired career.
While an attractive option for aspiring immigrants, this pathway can have unpleasant consequences on higher education institutions. By drawing away the international student population before graduation, universities could suffer devastating financial losses.
Every year, the UK higher education sector is losing out on a whopping £300 million due to students dropping out. More than 100 universities are suffering significant losses of over £1m annually in undergraduate tuition fees alone!
According to Pre-Pandemic HESA Data
IIaahil Law Firm has also announced a successful transfer of a student study visa into a tier 2 worker permit, which was achieved in a short time.
The skilled worker visa has been completely revamped to provide smoother applications, with a lower salary threshold and no need for the resident labour market test. These changes make it simpler than ever before. At approval, candidates could benefit from a five-year working window in the UK, with an opportunity to extend their visa for longer or apply for permanent citizen status.
We have been astounded by the increasing number of students transferring to Tier 2. In September alone, a largenumber of students arrived in Britain and quickly transitioned into Tier 2 skilled worker visa !
We’re putting extra measures in place to make sure credibility interviews and compliance policies remain our top priority. It’s an issue we are closely monitoring with no room for compromise.
Anonymous UK University Source told The PIE News
When chatting with students considering leaving UCB, we ask them what their plans are afterwards. Unfortunately, sometimes they seem to lose interest at this point. By vigilantly monitoring the whereabouts and attendance of our students, we are able to proactively respond to any signs of disengagement or lack of activity as soon as they arise.
There are no clear indicators as to the number of people who changed visa routes but there is a huge increase in skilled worker visas for health and social care activities. It has increased dramatically in the Q3 of this year, up an impressive 179% from its prior year. In Q3 of 2022, a whopping 21,543 recipients grew successfully; a huge jump from the 7,711 seen in Q3 of 2021.
The UK has seen a surge in skilled worker visas granted this autumn, coinciding with the main university intake period of the year. With a whopping 67% year-on-year surge in the first quarter, 2022 saw over 11 thousand visas issued – excluding applications for visa extensions.
With the tremendous demand for skilled worker visas, the Home Office has recently reported an average wait time of 11 weeks before decisions are made.
To address the labour shortages in healthcare resulting from Brexit, employing international students already present in the UK can provide a much-needed solution.
How to Switch to Tier 2 (Skilled Worker Visa)
According to Government Instructions, if you’re currently in the UK with a different form of visa, it may be possible to switch over and gain eligibility for a skilled worker.
Eligibility
- Your Job must Meet the Eligibility Requirements
- You can understand, read, write and speak English
Prospective immigrants to the UK must meet a minimum salary threshold in order to be eligible for visas. Generally, this means earning at least £ 25,600 annually or receiving an hourly rate of no less than £ 10.10 – though those employed in certain healthcare positions have other pay structures based on national scales.
Many universities are stumped by the rising number of international students who fail to complete their degrees. They often look inward for explanations, such as inadequate services, intermediaries and student support.
University students often have the opportunity to transition from school into full-time employment relatively quickly – a fascinating option that many are unaware of!
