Director Shuyeb Muquit Attends UK Parliament's Science and Technology Committee Meeting

Earlier this week, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit served as a witness during the UK Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee meeting focused on the impact of the country's visa system on science and technology. The group specifically discussed the UK's science visa policy, exploring how the country can remain competitive when recruiting global talent in the field of science.

During the session, Shuyeb shared evidence gleaned from Fragomen’s research—conducted in collaboration with the Royal Society—on the cost of the science visa, citing that the current process—including the increased UK healthcare surcharge that is part of the upfront application fee—can make the UK too expensive for applicants.

Shuyeb suggested offering more flexibility with upfront costs, including spreading the payments across the length of the visa, reducing costs for specific job roles that are in demand or requiring other insurance options to reduce the healthcare burden on the UK. Shuyeb advocated for flexibility in the immigration system to help support and attract global talent for in-demand fields, such as science and technology. 

Watch the full session here.