– Nikhil Mudgal, Founder-CEO, Lorien Finance

The UK government’s new immigration white paper has triggered a wave of headlines — and understandably, some anxiety — among Indian students planning to study in the UK. The white paper addresses changes to post-study work rights, dependent visas, and visa eligibility. 

However, the situation calls for strategic planning instead of signalling foregone opportunities to study at some of the best universities worldwide. Let’s outline a clear roadmap to successfully building a career in the UK after graduation.

Roadmap to Navigate the UK’s New Immigration Policies

As per the whitepaper, the new post-study job hunt period has been slashed to 18 months as opposed to the previous norm of 24 months, and 36 months for those completing their PhDs. With six months slashed from their job hunt period, students must be prepared not only with a career-oriented course and familiarity with industry trends but also with the skills needed to bag the job— ideally before immigrating or during the course, not after.

Moreover, the whitepaper demands a drastic shift in study-abroad planning as UK universities are now mandated to comply with more regulations to sponsor international students. The policy aims to scrutinise documentation and the intent to study more closely while also demanding stronger proof of financials, especially for candidates applying to lesser-known institutions. 

Candidates must also satisfy the new English proficiency benchmark: graduate level. This degree of English proficiency also applies to adult dependents. A key point to note here is that only those securing admission for a PhD are eligible for dependent visas for their family. 

To cope with the new policies for proof of funds and English knowledge, study-abroad aspirants and their dependents must begin planning their immigration earlier. Here, study-abroad guidance providers can play a major role in helping applicants estimate their fund requirements minutely, connect them with the right financier and choose the right university and course, while ensuring that everyone applying for the visa is conversant with the prescribed English standards. 

Given the demanding requirements, candidates must be mindful of the credibility of the agency they seek help from by observing their track record of successful candidates and the quality of service. Also, those planning to go for their PhD with dependents must work with an agency which has experience in the matter and is realistic about the immigration timeline.

The tighter-than-ever immigration policy clearly sends a message that the gateway to the UK is only for high-value individuals who are focused on academic excellence and contributing meaningfully to the country afterwards. Hence, the minimum duration to apply for permanent residency has also been stretched from 5 to 10 years unless the candidate is on a fast-track talent visa.

Much like the shorter post-study work visa, the pathway to settling in the UK now requires clarity on long-term goals. In this scenario, opting for courses which prepare for careers in tech, AI, finance, or life sciences – the emerging and growing sectors – is ideal for the transition to permanent residency.

Alternatively, candidates can look at their UK education as a launchpad to other affluent job markets, including European countries, leading cities in the Middle East, such as Dubai, and cosmopolitan hubs such as Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul. 

Some Advantages for Indian Students

The Indian student diaspora has already established itself as a high-value group, capable of outstanding performance in critical roles and seamless integration. This reputation, coupled with a top-tier college degree, will continue to help students secure jobs. The UK isn’t closing its doors to Indian students. It’s simply saying: “We want students who genuinely want to study, have a plan, and are ready to contribute.”

Further, the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU), UK, a strong group of professionals and diaspora graduates, proves to be of great help for learners to network, stay updated on developments in the job market, and integrate with ease. If the study-abroad agency has a network of candidates who are part of the NISAU, the candidates can enjoy an added advantage over their peers, right from the get-go.

The whitepaper also has the potential to curb instances of candidates spending on sub-par colleges and non-career-aligned courses. That’s a win for serious students, particularly those who work hard to secure funds.

Checklist for Selecting Study-Abroad Agencies

Here are a few key points to remember before onboarding with a study-abroad organisation:

Preparation Assistance: With half a year slashed from the graduate visa route, job-hunting efforts must become more intensive. Study-abroad facilitators with a wide network of corporate connections can be game-changing. Comprehensive service providers usually have a thriving job portal, and they also offer interview guidance and identify skill gaps with personalised counselling, thus aligning them with the talent hunt goals of the corporate sector in the UK.

Detailed Financial Planning: Along with tuition fees and expenses until graduation, financial planning should also include expenses after graduation. This budgeting is easier said than done. Hence, it is important to seek help from agencies which also help candidates secure expenses during the job hunt, making the experience less stressful.

High-cost destinations like the UK demand financial readiness. Lorien Finance enables students to bridge this gap by helping them access no-collateral, no-cosigner education loans from a wide network of Indian and international banks.

As policies tighten and universities raise documentation and funding standards, Lorien’s dedicated loan counsellors can help students:

– Understand funding eligibility and timelines

– Secure competitive interest rates from top lenders

– Organise paperwork in line with visa and university requirements

– Maximise approval chances by aligning loan disbursals with course schedules

With a strong plan, the right mindset, and a little expert guidance, there’s still a world of opportunity waiting!

Also read: How NBFCs are transforming international student financing landscape