Rishi Sunak Faces Cabinet Backlash Over Proposed Changes to Foreign Student Visas

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces opposition within his Cabinet over plans to restrict or end the Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to work in the UK post-graduation. Ministers, such as Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, argue that this would hurt the UK's attractiveness as a study destination. University and business leaders, including John Foster and Vivienne Stern, call for maintaining the current scheme.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly facing opposition within his Cabinet over plans to restrict or end the UK's Graduate Route visa.

This visa allows international students, especially from India, to stay and work in the UK for up to two years post-graduation.

Key ministers, including Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and Foreign Secretary David Cameron, are voicing concerns that such changes would harm the UK's attractiveness as a study destination.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has advised against the changes, noting the visa's success and lack of abuse.

Top university and business leaders, such as John Foster of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Vivienne Stern of Universities UK (UUK), have urged the government to maintain the current scheme.

With immigration statistics set to release soon and a general election on the horizon, Sunak’s government focuses on controlling migration figures, a move that fuels the ongoing debate.