Cross party steering group on post study work visa

8 Jun 2015 12:30 PM

Minister writes to UK Government urging reintroduction of scheme

A group including representatives of all major political parties in Scotland has been set up to work for the reintroduction of the Post Study Work Visa.

The cross party group, which has been established by Europe and International Development Minister Humza Yousaf, will look at how the visa can best work in Scotland.

The new cross party group will take forward the work of the Post Study Work Working Group, formed in August last year, which recommended the visa be reintroduced in a report issued in March this year. 

The Post Study Work Visa allowed international students to remain in the UK for 2 years after graduating from a UK University, and the visa had a track record of attracting and retaining world-class talent to Scotland, before it was abolished by the UK Government in 2012. 

Mr Yousaf last week wrote to James Brokenshire, the UK Immigration Minister, again calling on him to take Scotland’s needs into account and deliver on the Smith Commission recommendation in this area, and drawing his attention to the cross party support this issue has in the Scottish Parliament. 

Mr Yousaf said:

“The Scottish Government believes that a system of sensible, managed migration which meets Scotland needs is vital for our economy and society.

“Alongside our efforts to create more jobs in Scotland and develop the skills of our workforce, we must be able to attract and retain world-class talent to fill vacancies which cannot be filled by resident workers.

“One of the ways we can do this is through the reintroduction of a post study work route. “The Smith Commission Report gave cross party support to discussions on this between the Scottish and UK Governments.

“Here in Scotland there is clear cross-sectorial support for the reintroduction of the post study work route. I am delighted to announce this new Cross Party Steering Group, which demonstrates the breadth of support there is, across the political spectrum for reintroducing this vital visa to Scotland.

“I have, once again, written to the UK Government, asking them to work constructively with the Scottish Government and our stakeholders in Scotland’s best interests and allow us to reintroduce the Post Study Work Visa.”

John Finnie MSP, said:

“We all want a just and welcoming Scotland and, if agreement can be reached on this important issue we will not only enhance Scotland’s reputation internationally but also enrich our communities.”

Claire Baker MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs said:

“The previous Fresh Talent initiative was a clear success and showed how the needs of Scotland can be met through a common sense approach and cooperation between both Holyrood and Westminster. This must be shown again.

“International students have a significant contribution to make to everyday life in Scotland. They help maintain and build on our modern, inclusive and multicultural country whilst benefiting our economy and education system.

“There is a consensus amongst educational institutes and business large and small that a post-study work visa scheme is needed again in Scotland. I’m pleased there is also a cross party consensus in Holyrood and look forward to playing my part in working towards the reintroduction a post-study work visa.”

Case Study

Maulin Buch, 28, from Mumbai, India, stayed in Scotland after completing his degree using a Post Study Work Visa, and is still employed here.

He said:

“I came to study a Masters degree in Strategic Marketing at Glasgow University in 2010, leaving my home in Mumbai, India, and everyone I knew and loved behind me. It was not an easy decision.

“At the end of my studies, I was granted leave to remain in Scotland for two years under a former post-study work visa scheme before it was abolished by the UK Government. I now work as a business development manager with responsibility for marketing at Retronix , an international electronic component alloy conversion and re-tinning company based in Coatbridge.

“When I was planning to study far away from home it was hugely important that I felt able to forecast what might happen after university. Studying overseas is a big and expensive decision for a foreign student, and we need to know before we invest in a country of study whether there are likely to be opportunities to develop our skills further and find work in that country when our studies are complete. Otherwise it becomes difficult to justify the cost and effort.

“Studying far away from home is not an easy or inexpensive decision. Along with Glasgow University’s international reputation, the post-study work visa scheme that used to be in place in Scotland, was a significant part of my decision to come here. While at university I met students from Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka – and many of them cited the post-study work visa as an important part of their decision too.

“I understand that it’s necessary for any country to have controlled migration, but the decision to abolish the post-study work visa was ill-thought-through. As the declining numbers of students from India show, fewer people like me are choosing to come here. The decision to remove the post-study work visa is harming healthy migration, and I support the calls for its reintroduction – which would benefit the Scottish economy, business and education sectors and Scotland’s international reputation overall.

“Thankfully, my experience in Scotland has been an extremely positive one. I have been here for four years now and Scotland and I have been good to each other. I have contributed to the economy through the payment of my course fees, and have paid tax from day one of employment. As a non-EU national, I am not eligible for any form of welfare, housing or job-seeking benefits. Simply by living and working in Scotland, I contribute to the economy every day, and I expect that over my four years of calling Scotland home, my contribution has not been insignificant.

“Moreover – and perhaps most importantly - I have had the pleasure of meeting the most lovely and welcoming people ever. I have made many friends here and do not for a moment feel homesick or uninvited. Scotland and its people make me feel right at home.”

Notes To Editors

Read more about the work of the Post Study Work Working Group and its report herehttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Call-to-reinstate-post-study-work-visas-178c.aspx

The UK Tier 1 (Post-study Work) visa was abolished by the UK Government in April 2012. Prior to this Scotland pioneered the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland Scheme visa which enabled students from Scottish institutions to remain in Scotland for two years to work and gain further experience. This scheme ran from 2005 to 2008, when it was subsumed into the UK-wide Tier 1 (Post-study Work) visa.