The UK Government has confirmed that there are “no plans” for a dedicated visa for international graduates from Scottish universities or colleges who want to stay in Scotland after their studies.
Officials dismissed the call by First Minister John Swinney yesterday for a Scotland-specific visa scheme that will help businesses to attract and retain talent to boost population and economic growth.
Mr Swinney, speaking at JP Morgan Chase & Co in Glasgow, said that a ‘Scottish Graduate Visa’ would be linked to a Scottish tax code and be based on a requirement to live and work in Scotland.
It would be granted for up to two years and would act as a bridge between Study and Graduate visas and the Skilled Worker Visa, giving international students an additional two years to gain the professional experience required to qualify for roles on the Skilled Worker Visa route.
As migration is a reserved issue, developing and delivering the Scottish Graduate Visa would require the cooperation of the UK Government ahead of it coming into force.
During the speech the First Minister also stressed the urgency of Scotland rejoining the European Union, ensuring access to the Single Market and reinstating freedom of movement, to help tackle Scotland’s distinct demographic challenges which would benefit from inward migration.
However, the UK Government said today that there is already a graduate route that offers talented international students the opportunity to stay in the UK after successfully completing their studies.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Delivering on our Plan for Change and driving economic growth in every part of the UK means resetting our relationship with the EU and securing closer trading links, a broad security and defence agreement, and closer cooperation on issues like migration and climate change.
“The Graduate Route already offers talented international students the opportunity to stay in the UK after successfully completing their studies. We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government on areas where devolved and reserved policies intersect, but there are no plans to introduce a visa route specific to Scotland.”
Mr Swinney said: “Maximising the economic and community benefit from our massive energy wealth, acting now to address our looming population crisis, and committing ourselves once again to Europe and its single market is essential for the wellbeing of our society and the future success of our economy.
“The pragmatic approach I am setting out today when it comes to migration is an attractive proposition for international students and will ensure they can gain experience as they work towards the high salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa.”
While the “Scottish Visa” scheme was dismissed, UK Government ministers will set out plans for future immigration policies in a White Paper later this year.
Under current arrangements, students who successfully complete an eligible course can apply to remain in the UK on a graduate visa for 2 years after their studies end – or 3 for those who have completed PhDs – to work, to live, and to contribute.
But the government has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to review shortages in key sectors, in particular IT and engineering.