Graduate visa review spurs optimism, but fears remain over government’s response

Migration Advisory Committee recommendation to keep visa route prompts relief, though ministers yet to respond

The higher education and research sectors have responded optimistically after a government-commissioned review called for the graduate route visa to stay, but some figures voiced concern that ministers could ignore its findings.

The much-anticipated and politically charged Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review found—to the relief of many in the sector—that the graduate route visa should be retained in its current form, amid fears that the Home Office wants to reform or scrap the route in a bid to curb migration.