The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended retaining the two-year UK graduate visa, asserting it has not been misused and benefits the higher education sector. Key findings include an increase in graduate visa holders over 25 years old, with a concentration among nationals from India, Nigeria, China, and Pakistan, and a fiscal positivity due to their contributions. Government response to the report is pending amidst political pressure for tighter immigration rules, which could impact future visa policies.

1. UK Post-Study Work Permit & Graduate
Visa: MAC Report Insights
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has finished its quick assessment of the UK graduate route
and found no proof of significant misuse.
In an important development for the sector, the report advises the government to keep the two-year
visa as it is. It states that the graduate route does not compromise the integrity and quality of the UK's
higher education system. Instead, it aids universities in broadening the range of courses they offer and
compensates for financial deficits from domestic students and research.
The much-awaited 70-page report, led by Brian Bell, a professor at King’s College London, was requested
by Home Secretary James Cleverly to conduct this investigation.
Here is a summary of the key points from the review.
What Does the MAC Review Recommend?
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has made several key recommendations regarding the UK's
graduate visa. The primary suggestion is to keep the two-year graduate visa unchanged, as the review
concluded that it has largely achieved its goals. However, it remains uncertain if this will be sufficient for
a government under pressure to tighten immigration rules to abandon any plans to further restrict post-
study work rights.
Other notable recommendations from the report include:
1. Mandatory Registration System: The government should create a mandatory registration
system for international recruitment agents and subagents.
2. Transparency in Recruitment Spending: Universities should be required to publish annual data
on their expenditure on recruitment agents and the number of international students recruited
through these agents.
3. Data Collection and Monitoring: The government should only introduce new migration routes
or make significant policy changes if there is a clear plan for data collection and monitoring to
assess the effectiveness of the routes against their objectives.
4. Course Outcome Confirmation: The Home Office should require universities to confirm the
course outcome (such as class of degree) for students on the student route, in addition to
confirming successful course completion.
How Does the Graduate Visa Function According to the MAC?
The report is the first comprehensive analysis of the graduate visa, utilizing new data from the Home
Office. Key findings include:

2.  Nationality Concentration: The graduate route is mainly used by nationals from India, Nigeria,
China, and Pakistan, with these four countries accounting for 70% of all graduate visas. Indian
nationals alone make up over 40%.
 Postgraduate Taught Courses: The majority of visa holders completed postgraduate taught
courses, and this proportion has grown since the route's introduction.
 Changing Age Profile: Since 2021, the proportion of main applicants aged over 25 has increased
by 15 percentage points, reaching 54% in 2023. This data predates the introduction of the
dependent rule change.
 University Types: Most growth in visa usage is from postgraduate courses at non-Russell Group
universities, which represent 66% of all graduate visas. In 2023, 91% of visa holders had
completed a postgraduate taught course.
 Institutional Quality: The route may not be attracting students from the highest-ranked global
institutions, but the report notes that this is not a perfect indicator of the quality of
international students.
 Geographic Distribution: About 40% of applicants are based in London, indicating that many
graduates move to the capital for work after studying at universities elsewhere in the UK.
 Regional Growth: While student numbers in London grew significantly between 2019 and 2023,
faster growth was observed in Wales and the East of England.
 Fiscal Contribution: Graduate visa holders are likely to be net fiscally positive due to their tax
contributions, low healthcare costs, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and the restriction on
accessing public funds.
Are Students Using the Graduate Visa for Immigration Purposes?
Critics of the graduate route have argued that it serves as a "Deliveroo" visa, suggesting that many
recipients enter low-paid jobs and use lower-quality courses as a way to gain entry into the country. The
Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) addressed these concerns in their findings:
 Employment Outcomes: While graduate visa holders are initially over-represented in lower-paid
jobs, their employment outcomes, including wages, tend to improve over time. Among the first
group of graduate visa holders, about half transitioned to skilled worker visas, primarily taking
on skilled roles.
 Accuracy of Home Office Claims: The Home Office claimed that only 23% of students switching
from the graduate route to the skilled worker route in 2023 secured graduate-level jobs.
However, the MAC found this claim to be incorrect.
 Sector Distribution: A significant portion (20%) of students switching to the skilled worker route
join the care sector.

3.  Income Data: The median monthly income for those identified as being in work is £1,750, which
translates to an annual income of £21,000.
 Abuse Levels: The MAC concluded that abuse of the graduate route is very low, partly due to
the limited number of conditions attached to it.
Further Insights from the MAC Review
Although the review focused primarily on the graduate route and potential abuses, the MAC also
provided broader insights on international recruitment:
 Impact of Policy Changes: Recent policy changes, such as the ban on dependants, are likely to
significantly reduce the future use of the graduate route.
 Misleading Information: Some university recruitment agents in certain markets may be
providing misleading information to prospective international students.
 Consequences of Further Restrictions: Additional restrictions on the graduate route could
prevent the government from achieving its goal of hosting 600,000 international students. Such
restrictions would likely cause severe financial difficulties for UK universities, leading to job
losses, course closures, reduced research activities, and potential institutional failures.
 Comparative Attractiveness: Restrictions on the graduate route have made the UK's offer less
appealing to international students compared to other countries like Australia, Canada, and
Germany.
The MAC Report's Impact
Following the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report, the government has
stated that it is "considering the review’s findings very closely" and will "respond fully in due course."
Here are the key points to consider moving forward:
 Government Response: The government is currently reviewing the MAC's findings and
recommendations. An official response is expected soon, which will detail any policy changes or
actions to be taken based on the report.
 Political Pressure: Despite the report’s conclusions, government ministers face significant
pressure from Conservative backbenchers to reduce migration and impose further restrictions
on the graduate visa. This pressure is likely to intensify with the release of new migration data
later this month.
 Sector Advocacy: The education sector can now use the MAC report to support its position,
arguing that the graduate visa has been beneficial and that concerns about its misuse have been
largely unfounded. The robust review provides strong evidence for maintaining or even
expanding the current visa policies.

4.  Potential Policy Changes: Depending on the government's response to the political pressure
and the new migration data, there could be changes to the graduate visa program. These could
range from maintaining the status quo to implementing additional restrictions or reforms.
 Future Implications: The outcome of this review and the government's subsequent actions will
have significant implications for UK universities, international students, and the broader
immigration policy framework. The sector will need to stay vigilant and continue to advocate for
policies that support its growth and sustainability.
In summary, while the MAC report provides a strong argument for maintaining the current graduate visa
policies, the final decision rests with the government, which must balance these findings against political
pressures and new migration data.