Thousands of Nigerian students in the United Kingdom are reeling after the UK government announced a cut in the Graduate Route visa from two years to just 18 months.
The move, unveiled in the new Immigration White Paper, aims to curb what officials describe as widespread “mission drift” and abuse of post-study work entitlements. Under the revised scheme, graduates will face narrower pathways to skilled work visas and tighter restrictions on bringing dependants.
According to the Home Office report released on Monday, the Graduate Route “has not met its original objectives” and has become “a loophole for unsponsored work and a magnet for abuse.” Only institutions that adhere to enhanced compliance standards will keep their international recruitment licenses, the document states.
Universities with low graduate-to-employment rates or those convicted of misleading recruitment face sanctions or license revocation.
Education consultants warn that the change could deter high-achieving Nigerians from pursuing UK degrees, shifting student flows to Canada and Australia. The reduction in allowable post-study work time—from 24 to 18 months—means recent alumni must secure skilled-worker sponsorship more quickly or risk losing their status.
The Home Office insists the reforms will strengthen the integrity of the UK’s immigration system, but critics argue the tighter visa regime undermines the country’s competitiveness in global higher education.
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