Important Updates
Important Updates
September 25, 2025 | GermanyThe Best Law Firms™ in Germany 2026 Recognizes Fragomen
September 25, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaAsharq Al Awsat: السعودية تمضي مع «رؤية 2030» بدعم التصنيع والتوطين وتوسع الاقتصاد
September 25, 2025 | EgyptEgypt: Increased Labor Inspections
September 25, 2025Fragomen Spotlighted in Financial Times for 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards
September 25, 2025 | RussiaRussia: Reminder for Notification Filing for Highly Qualified Specialists
September 25, 2025 | GermanyThe Best Law Firms™ in Germany 2026 Recognizes Fragomen
September 25, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaAsharq Al Awsat: السعودية تمضي مع «رؤية 2030» بدعم التصنيع والتوطين وتوسع الاقتصاد
September 25, 2025 | EgyptEgypt: Increased Labor Inspections
September 25, 2025Fragomen Spotlighted in Financial Times for 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards
September 25, 2025 | RussiaRussia: Reminder for Notification Filing for Highly Qualified Specialists
September 25, 2025 | GermanyThe Best Law Firms™ in Germany 2026 Recognizes Fragomen
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Migration Advisory Committee Publishes Report on International Students

September 17, 2018

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

The situation

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s report on the impact of international students in the United Kingdom focuses on the UK government’s efforts to attract top students, including suggested revisions in post-study work rights.

A closer look

The main findings of the report are discussed below.

  • General conclusion. The MAC reported that international students provide a huge benefit to the UK economy by way of payments through tuition fees and through expenditure in local areas.
  • International comparison. The Higher Education Sector (the sector) is concerned about the competitiveness of the United Kingdom’s current offering to international students. Latest statistics place the United Kingdom as the second most popular destination for international students behind the United States, providing similar work rights when compared with the United Kingdom’s main competitors. Despite this, the United Kingdom has been identified as offering less generous post-study work rights.
  • Impact on UK students. International students in the United Kingdom pay higher tuition fees than UK/EU students, which results in benefits through subsidising research and education fees for UK/EU students.
  • Impacts after study. The report found that most international students leave the United Kingdom before their visa expires. Additionally, the number of students granted a visa extension for work purposes following the completion of their studies has significantly reduced since the removal of the Tier 1 Post Study Work category.

 

Policy recommendations

The below are the MAC’s key policy recommendations:

  • The MAC agrees with the sector that no cap should be placed on students but suggests international students should remain counted within the United Kingdom’s net migration statistics;
  • The government should continue to work with the sector to grow the number of international students;
  • Work rights during study should remain unchanged/consistent with other countries;
  • There should be more time for students to switch from Tier 4 to Tier 2 to allow sponsors to continue to attract top candidates;
  • Post-study Leave to Remain should be extended to six months for master’s students;
  • Post-study Leave to Remain should be extended to 12 months after completion of a PhD (like the current Doctorate Extension Scheme);
  • Students passing a course of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6 or above should be provided with a two-year period to apply out-of-country for a Tier 2 visa (this option is currently not available).

 

Impact of Brexit

The report recommends that post-Brexit, EU nationals in the United Kingdom should not be required to obtain a visa, whereas any longer periods might require a student visa, although this is still an area of uncertainty.

The report confirms that institutions are currently free to set their own tuition fees, which the MAC feels is appropriate. It is likely that this will continue even after Brexit.

In terms of post-study work, the MAC recommends that EU students should be brought within the system in place for non-EU students under Tier 4.

Background

Although there is no immediate impact on employers and foreign nationals in the United Kingdom, the MAC’s findings will have a tangible impact on the way the UK immigration system is shaped as it advises the UK government in its policy-making decisions.

Looking ahead

The UK government will now assess the report and decide upon any changes required to current policy.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Generic Insights

Media mentions

Asharq Al Awsat: السعودية تمضي مع «رؤية 2030» بدعم التصنيع والتوطين وتوسع الاقتصاد

Partner Haider Hussain underlines the role of talent mobility in shaping future growth sectors in the Kingdom.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Spotlighted in Financial Times for 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards

Fragomen is recognised by the Financial Times for its innovative work in workforce mobility and cross-sector collaboration.

Learn more

Awards

The Best Law Firms™ in Germany 2026 Recognizes Fragomen

Fragomen has been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms™ in Germany, earning a Regional Tier 1 ranking in Hessen for Labor and Employment Law.

Learn more

Media mentions

Khaleej Times: $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee to Boost Demand for UAE's Golden, Freelance, Remote Work Visas

Partner Shayan Sultan discusses a rise in inquiries about UAE residency and remote work programmes amid global talent mobility trends.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Sponsor Licence Revocation: What HR and Mobility Leaders Need to Know

Partner Rajiv Naik, Senior Manager Thomas Kingsmill and Manager Ko Ito highlight rising UK sponsor licence revocations and how HR and mobility leaders can manage the impact.

Learn more

Media mentions

Reuters: Financial Firms to Feel Outsized Impact From Trump's H-1B Overhaul

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the $100,000 H-1B fee and its impact on financial, banking and technology firms relying on international talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

CNBC: Europe’s Work-Life Balance a Key Talent Draw as Trump Revamps H-1B Visa

Partner Louise Haycock highlights how the UK's immigration system and Skilled Worker visa changes support employers in planning talent pipelines.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Wall Street Journal: Tech’s H-1B Debate: Is Trump’s New Fee a Solution or Setback?

Partner Audrea Golding explains how the $100,000 H-1B fee could affect hiring across the tech industry.

Learn more

Blog post

Visa Applications and Document Services: Avoiding Delays and Ensuring Compliance

Immigration Supervisor Nathalie Pimenta and Immigration Programme Manager Frida Sakaj discuss the importance of planning visa applications and document services early to avoid delays and ensure compliance with UK regulations.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月22日 アメリカ移民法速報Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Nowe przepisy o zatrudnianiu cudzoziemców 2025. Spada liczba zezwoleń na pracę

Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Learn more

Media mentions

Human Resources Manager: Flucht und Arbeitsmigration: (noch) ein Dickicht in der Behördenlandschaft

Partner Marius Tollenaere examines Germany’s immigration administration and strategies to support skilled labor.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Media mentions

Asharq Al Awsat: السعودية تمضي مع «رؤية 2030» بدعم التصنيع والتوطين وتوسع الاقتصاد

Partner Haider Hussain underlines the role of talent mobility in shaping future growth sectors in the Kingdom.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Spotlighted in Financial Times for 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards

Fragomen is recognised by the Financial Times for its innovative work in workforce mobility and cross-sector collaboration.

Learn more

Awards

The Best Law Firms™ in Germany 2026 Recognizes Fragomen

Fragomen has been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms™ in Germany, earning a Regional Tier 1 ranking in Hessen for Labor and Employment Law.

Learn more

Media mentions

Khaleej Times: $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee to Boost Demand for UAE's Golden, Freelance, Remote Work Visas

Partner Shayan Sultan discusses a rise in inquiries about UAE residency and remote work programmes amid global talent mobility trends.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Sponsor Licence Revocation: What HR and Mobility Leaders Need to Know

Partner Rajiv Naik, Senior Manager Thomas Kingsmill and Manager Ko Ito highlight rising UK sponsor licence revocations and how HR and mobility leaders can manage the impact.

Learn more

Media mentions

Reuters: Financial Firms to Feel Outsized Impact From Trump's H-1B Overhaul

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the $100,000 H-1B fee and its impact on financial, banking and technology firms relying on international talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

CNBC: Europe’s Work-Life Balance a Key Talent Draw as Trump Revamps H-1B Visa

Partner Louise Haycock highlights how the UK's immigration system and Skilled Worker visa changes support employers in planning talent pipelines.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Wall Street Journal: Tech’s H-1B Debate: Is Trump’s New Fee a Solution or Setback?

Partner Audrea Golding explains how the $100,000 H-1B fee could affect hiring across the tech industry.

Learn more

Blog post

Visa Applications and Document Services: Avoiding Delays and Ensuring Compliance

Immigration Supervisor Nathalie Pimenta and Immigration Programme Manager Frida Sakaj discuss the importance of planning visa applications and document services early to avoid delays and ensure compliance with UK regulations.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月22日 アメリカ移民法速報Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Nowe przepisy o zatrudnianiu cudzoziemców 2025. Spada liczba zezwoleń na pracę

Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Learn more

Media mentions

Human Resources Manager: Flucht und Arbeitsmigration: (noch) ein Dickicht in der Behördenlandschaft

Partner Marius Tollenaere examines Germany’s immigration administration and strategies to support skilled labor.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.