Graduate Route Under Review as UK Reassesses Post-Study Options

Rise in Detentions of Indian Nationals Sparks Immigration Concerns

Recent statistics released by the UK Home Office have reportedly indicated a continued decline in the number of visas granted to Indian nationals for study at British universities. In the year ending June 2025, Indian students were said to have received 98,014 sponsored study visas, placing them just behind Chinese nationals, who were granted 99,919 visas during the same period. However, both groups were understood to have experienced a year-on-year decrease,11% for Indian students and 7% for Chinese students. Officials noted that the trend in sponsored study visas had largely been driven by postgraduate enrolments. In the year ending March 2025, it was stated that 81% of Indian students had travelled to the UK to pursue Master’s-level qualifications, in contrast to 59% of Chinese students. The Home Office reportedly attributed the overall decline to shifting demand patterns and evolving immigration policies.

The decline in Indian student visas has been partly attributed to the UK’s January 2024 policy change, which banned international students from bringing dependents, leading to an 86% drop in dependent visa applications. This has disproportionately affected Indian applicants, who previously accounted for the largest share of dependent visas. UK universities, many of which rely heavily on international tuition fees, are facing financial strain. A recent sector forecast revealed that 72% of institutions are projected to run deficits by 2025–26, raising concerns about course closures and staff redundancies. In parallel, new figures released as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration suggested a sharp rise in the number of Indian nationals entering detention. While Albanians remained the most common nationality in detention since 2022, their numbers were said to be falling. In contrast, the number of detained Brazilian and Indian nationals had reportedly doubled over the past year, with increases of 91% and 108%, respectively. According to the Home Office, 2,715 Indian nationals were recorded as being in detention under breaches of UK immigration law. A majority of these individuals were understood to have been released on bail, although the figures were seen as indicative of heightened enforcement activity.

Returns from detention have increased by 23% over the past year, suggesting a more aggressive deportation strategy. This has raised concerns among legal experts and human rights advocates, particularly regarding the treatment of overstayers who may have entered the UK on legitimate study or work visas. The UK government’s latest immigration statistics also revealed that 1,11,000 people had claimed asylum in the country in the year ending June 2025, reportedly the highest annual figure since comparable records began in 1979. The asylum issue has remained in sharp public and political focus, particularly following the Home Office’s recent legal defeat over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers. Opposition parties were said to be intensifying pressure on the Labour government to accelerate deportation processes and address systemic delays.

Notably, 36% of asylum seekers who entered legally had previously held study visas, and 30% had entered on work visas, highlighting a growing trend of visa route conversions. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill 2025, currently under parliamentary review, proposes repealing the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme and introducing stricter biometric tracking. Meanwhile, Indian students are increasingly exploring alternative destinations such as Canada, Australia and Germany, which offer clearer post-study work pathways and more stable immigration policies. Interest in STEM, AI and business programmes continues to rise, with global universities competing to attract top talent from India.

India’s bilateral migration partnerships with countries such as the UK and Australia are also under review, with a focus on streamlining academic mobility and ensuring student welfare. Support mechanisms such as the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) and scholarships like the Chevening–Atal Bihari Vajpayee programme remain critical in safeguarding student interests abroad. The Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to remain in the UK for up to two years post-study, is under scrutiny amid calls for reform. Its future will likely influence the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination. The data were interpreted as reflecting both the changing landscape of international education and the UK’s increasingly stringent immigration enforcement regime. The evolving visa landscape underscores the need for balanced policy-making that supports academic mobility while addressing legitimate immigration concerns.

Editor’s Note

The latest immigration data reflects a sharp shift in the UK’s approach to student and migration policy. The fall in visas granted to Indian students highlights both the tightening of immigration rules and the unintended impact of policy changes, such as the 2024 ban on dependents. These measures have particularly affected Indian applicants, who once formed the largest group of dependent visa holders. The broader trend shows that universities are caught in the middle. They rely on international fees for survival, yet the decline in postgraduate enrolments has created serious financial strain. Forecasts of institutional deficits and potential course closures indicate that the sector may face a long-term crisis if inflows of international students continue to drop.

At the same time, the rise in detention and deportation of Indian nationals reflects a more aggressive enforcement stance. This has created an atmosphere of uncertainty, where students and workers fear being penalised even if they first entered on legitimate visas. Such measures risk damaging the UK’s global reputation as an education hub. The reasons behind these shifts are clear: political pressure on the government to reduce immigration, the growing asylum backlog, and the attempt to show stronger border control. However, the costs are also clear: reduced academic mobility, financial risks for universities, and the diversion of Indian talent to countries offering more stable policies, such as Canada, Australia, and Germany. Possible solutions lie in balanced policymaking. The UK must preserve academic mobility while addressing legitimate immigration concerns. Clearer post-study work routes, transparent rules on dependents, and consistent communication with international students are essential. Partnerships with India must also focus on protecting student welfare through scholarships, welfare funds, and mobility agreements.

Skoobuzz underlines that education acts as both an economic driver and a diplomatic bridge. While policies deterring international students might offer short-term political advantages, they risk long-term damage to reputation and strategic standing.