The UK has slashed its Graduate Route visas from two years to 18 months.
This move has now affected Nigerian students in the country.
It is part of a sweeping crackdown on what the UK described as “systemic abuse and mission drift” in international education, asylum, and family immigration.
The announcement is part of a broader Immigration White Paper released on Monday.
“Migration must be controlled and compliant. Our reforms will close the back doors and shut down abuse across the system,” the Home Office stated on its website.
”The Graduate Route — previously offering two years of post-study work rights — will now offer only 18 months, with a tighter pathway to work visas and fewer rights to bring dependants.
“The Graduate Route has not met its original objectives.
“It has become a loophole for unsponsored work and a magnet for abuse,” the document said.
Only institutions meeting “enhanced compliance standards” will be allowed to retain international recruitment licenses.
Universities found to have low progression-to-work rates or engaged in misleading recruitment practices will face sanctions.
