International students will be allowed to stay in the UK for two years after graduation to find a job, under new proposals announced by the Home Office.

The move reverses a decision made in 2012 by then-Home Secretary Theresa May that forced overseas students to leave four months after finishing a degree.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the change would see students "unlock their potential" and begin careers in the UK.

But campaign group Migration Watch called it a "retrograde" step.

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The change will apply to international students in the UK - there were around 450,000 last year - who start courses at undergraduate level or above from next year onwards.

They must be studying at an institution with a track record in upholding immigration checks.

Under the proposals, there is no restriction on the kinds of jobs students would have to seek and no cap on numbers.

"If one needed evidence of a new approach to immigration within government, today's announcement allowing all foreign students to stay for two years after graduation is just that," the BBC's home editor Mark Easton said.

"Where Theresa May introduced what she called a hostile environment around migration rules, with an ambition to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands, Boris Johnson has promised to scrap that target and encourage the "brightest and best" to come and live and work in 'global Britain'."

Chancellor Sajid Javid tweeted that the move was "about time", adding that the government "should have reversed this silly policy years ago".

Former universities minister Jo Johnson - who quit his brother's government last week - tweeted that it was "success at last" after being involved in the cross-party campaign.

Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, welcomed the decision, saying it would benefit the UK economy and reinstate the UK as a "first choice study destination".

"Evidence shows that international students bring significant positive social outcomes to the UK as well as £26bn in economic contributions, but for too long the lack of post-study work opportunities in the UK has put us at a competitive disadvantage in attracting those students," he said.

But Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said the decision was an "unwise" step that would "likely lead to foreign graduates staying on to stack shelves".

"Our universities are attracting a record number of overseas students so there is no need to devalue a study visa by turning it into a backdoor route for working here," he added.

Reality Check: Has the 'hostile environment' worked?
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said Labour has always said graduates should be able to work here after their studies.

"It enables them to contribute to our economy, our universities and to research, and helps us to attract the brightest and best from around the world.

"It is a great pity that ministers have previously supported measures that did the opposite."

'International collaboration'
The government's announcement coincides with the launch of a £200m genetics project at the UK Biobank, a charity and health resource that contains information and samples from 500,000 people.

The UK Biobank collected DNA samples and health questionnaire information from 500,000 British volunteers over several years and is now open to researchers from anywhere in the world who want to use those resources to develop new treatments for diseases.

The prime minister said projects of this kind wouldn't be possible "without being open to the brightest and the best from across the globe to study and work" in the UK.

Mr Johnson said: "That's why we're unveiling a new route for international students to unlock their potential and start their careers in the UK."

Britain had a "proud history" of being at the centre of international collaboration, he said, adding that it was "bringing together experts from around the globe to work in the UK on the world's largest genetics research project".

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49655719

Thats good news however the more pressing issue is getting such good admission and being able to fund the education.

A welcome development for who can cross those hurdle

perfect decision nice one

Nice one

They need money. That's why England sold their match with kosovo. 5-1 first half, after collecting millions , they allowed kossovo score 2 more goals.

It is still our money we will use to pay the fees. Why can't we fix our education and save this money?

Laudable

B

The Brexit effect

Nice one
Job hunting after graduating will now be the koko. Some countries are destined to be successful while some others are mere geographical area. More money for them and more opportunities for foreigners...a win win situation

Good development

I just wish other countries will learn from USA.

They are always on top in terms of development and making sure that her citizens are comfortable.

See everyone running bk to the u.k

International students will be allowed to stay in the UK for two years after graduation to find a job, under new proposals announced by the Home Office.

This is a very welcome development.

Great

Student juicy foreign fees, is what they want.... Rub my back, I rob your funds ........

Ironically, one of the benefits of Brexit

It's a welcome development

Ndi ara! After my friend don study for UK commot...lol

Oh boy...where I wan see money go do mastars now..na UK man fit take enter USA like this oo and lost...

They see how Canada and Australia fare and desire their feats... Stingy souls!

Two years after, they will send you parking. Even the job thing is not guaranteed!

The return of post-study work visas. Thunder fire Theresa May and Cameron.

Oga Boris, this is commendable no doubt about it, but you better find solutions on this "BREXIT" of a thing. If not.....
That "Labour Party leader" is not joking ooo.

Nice Move.

They have seen that Canada and Australia are picking up the figures and diverting the young minds to themselves.

Abi?

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This is a very welcome development.

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welcome development