Visa reform relief as Brexit looms

Sector welcomes plans for fast-track science visa unveiled days before UK will leave EU

The academic community has welcomed Home Office plans for a fast-track visa scheme to attract “the world’s top scientists, researchers and mathematicians” to the UK, following widespread concern about rights of European Union citizens after Brexit. 

The announcement of visa reforms follows a tumultuous fortnight in Westminster. Ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU on 31 January, the government pushed through a bill to withdraw from the EU despite it being voted down by the devolved parliaments and Northern Ireland Assembly, and without accepting amendments to protect access to EU study and research programmes.