UK Move To Deport Nigerians, Other Foreign Students- See why
UK Government Considers Deporting Foreign Students with Low Grades
The UK government is contemplating stricter regulations for international students, including Nigerians, who have low grades while studying in the country. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), commissioned by Home Secretary James Cleverly, is set to review the current two-year graduate visa program to reduce net migration by 300,000.
Key Points:
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC): The MAC will scrutinize the existing two-year graduate visa program to assess its potential misuse and impact on net migration.
- Concerns About Misuse: There are concerns that the visa scheme is being used as a backdoor route for low-skilled jobs or for individuals seeking a two-year stay in the UK, as there are currently no employment requirements.
- Current Visa Program: The two-year graduate visa program has witnessed a significant increase, with over 98,000 students granted extensions in the year to June 2023, representing a 74% surge from the previous year.
- Academic Performance Benchmarks: The MAC is considering the introduction of minimum grade thresholds or specific course achievements as eligibility factors for the visa.
- Additional Restrictions: Other potential restrictions under consideration include limiting the visa to graduates of certain universities or specific courses and restricting visa holders to specific job types or activities.
- Current Lack of Limitations: Currently, visa holders have no limitations on their activities within the UK, and there is no requirement to achieve specific grades in university courses.
Concerns Raised by MAC Chairman:
- Professor Brian Bell, Chairman of the MAC, highlighted the absence of academic performance benchmarks in the current visa criteria.
- The committee aims to review whether there should be requirements for specific grades in university courses.
The review by the MAC suggests a reevaluation of the two-year graduate visa program to ensure it aligns with the government’s migration goals and addresses concerns about potential misuse. It may lead to the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria for foreign students.
