International students in the UK with subpar academic performance face the potential threat of deportation.

The Migration Advisory Committee in the United Kingdom has proposed that foreign students holding two-year graduate visas could face restrictions on staying in the country if they do not achieve high grades. The suggestion comes as part of a five-point plan aimed at reducing net migration by 300,000 from its record-high levels. The UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, is set to review the graduate visa program.

The Telegraph reported a significant increase in the number of students granted two-year visas to stay in the UK after graduating in June 2023, rising by 74 percent to over 98,000 students in just one year. Concerns have been raised that the visa might be exploited as a means to work in low-skilled jobs or simply to stay in the country without the obligation of employment.

Professor Brian Bell, the Chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, highlighted the absence of grade requirements for the graduate route and stated the need to evaluate whether specific grades or achievements should be mandated. The committee is also considering potential restrictions on the choice of universities, courses, or types of jobs for foreign students to qualify for the extended stay.

Currently, there are no limitations on the activities foreign students can pursue during the two-year period, leading to discussions about whether reforms should be implemented. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick have advocated for an overhaul or elimination of the graduate visa, expressing concerns about its contribution to immigration and potential abuse. Jenrick emphasized the need for comprehensive reform, pointing out instances where universities were marketing short, low-grade courses as a gateway to life in the UK.