You Graduated From The 50 Best Universities In The World? UK Will Give Visa For Up To Three Years, Can Bring Family

Illustration of London, England. (Wikimedia Commons/Ilya Grigorik)

JAKARTA - The UK will offer work visas to graduates from the world's best universities in an expansion of its post-Brexit immigration system, designed to attract the best and brightest workers.

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has ended the priority given to EU citizens. Introducing a points-based immigration system that ranks applicants on everything from qualifications and language skills, to the types of jobs offered to them.

However, the country has faced a tight labor market for several years, exacerbated by Brexit and COVID-19, with companies in the manufacturing, logistics, and food sectors urging the government to relax rules for entry-level jobs.

Under the scheme announced on Monday this week, graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree from the top 50 overseas universities can apply for a two-year work visa.

Meanwhile, for those who hold doctoral degrees from the best universities, they can get a visa for up to three years. Interestingly, graduates of all levels of education can invite their family members to participate.

Under this scheme, applicants receive a maximum of five years prior to the submission of the application. Later, successful applicants will then be able to switch to a long-term work visa, the government said.

UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said the policy would allow the UK to grow as an international center for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

"We want future businesses to be built here, today. That's why I ask students to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity, to forge their careers here," said Minister Sunak.

A recognized university must be in the top 50, based on at least two of the following rankings: Times Higher Education World University Rankings, The Academic Ranking of World Universities, or The Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings.

The latest list of eligible universities from 2021, published online by the UK Government, comprises more than two dozen US universities, as well as institutions in Canada, Japan, Germany, China, Singapore, France, and Sweden.

In addition, the UK Government says candidates must pass a security and criminality check, and be able to speak, read, listen and write intermediate-level English.

Lastly, reports Euronews, they also have to pay £715 for the visa, plus an additional immigration health fee of up to £624 per year, which allows successful applicants to access the services of the UK health care system.

Dependents will be allowed to accompany the visa holder, and anyone applying must also have a maintenance fund of at least £1270.