The UK’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has found no significant evidence of widespread abuse of the country’s graduate visa route, despite frequent allegations from senior Conservative figures that the route is being misused for job market entry. The committee concluded that the graduate visa, which allows international students to work for two to three years post-graduation, should be maintained. They noted that the potential for abuse is minimal and does not compromise the integrity or quality of the UK higher education system.

This conclusion has sparked internal conflict within the Conservative Party over net migration, with some right-wing MPs dismissing the report as a “whitewash.” Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick criticized the committee’s investigation as being limited by narrowly defined terms set by Home Secretary James Cleverly. Jenrick likened the process to ordering “white paint” and receiving a “whitewash.” Conservative MP Neil O’Brien echoed this sentiment, arguing that the report glosses over important issues.

Amidst pressure from backbenchers to disregard the MAC’s findings, the government has yet to decide whether it will accept the recommendations. A source close to the Home Secretary indicated that Cleverly will carefully review the report and consult with Professor Brian Bell, the MAC chair, before making a decision.

University leaders, relieved by the MAC’s conclusions, remain concerned that the government might selectively use parts of the report to justify further restrictions. They have warned that abolishing the graduate visa would cause financial instability in the higher education sector. University representatives hope the government will confirm the continuation of the graduate visa soon, especially with the upcoming release of the Office for National Statistics’ net migration figures.

The MAC’s review emphasizes that the graduate visa route should stay as it is, reinforcing that it supports the UK’s offer to international students, whose tuition fees subsidize the costs of educating domestic students and conducting research. Without these fees, universities might face reductions in size and research output. The committee highlighted that there is no significant evidence of graduate visa abuse, though there are concerns about exploitation by recruitment agents, which is a separate issue.

In 2023, 114,000 main applicant graduate visas were granted, with an additional 30,000 for dependants. Most graduate visas were issued to nationals from India, Nigeria, China, and Pakistan, with India alone accounting for over 40%. Higher education leaders urge the government to promptly affirm the retention of the current graduate visa terms and to collaborate with the education sector to enhance the benefits of international students.

The MAC has also recommended that the government establish a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents and require universities to publish data on their use of agents to safeguard the integrity of the higher education system. This review followed a directive from Home Secretary Cleverly in March to investigate potential abuse of the graduate route and its effectiveness.

University sector leaders have welcomed the MAC’s recommendation to maintain the graduate visa, stressing the need for the government to provide clear assurances that the visa will remain unchanged. A government spokesperson reiterated the commitment to attracting top talent to UK universities while preventing immigration system abuse, underscoring the purpose of the independent review.