Indian students, as one of the largest groups of international students enrolling at UK universities over the past year, are set to benefit from an extension to the entry deadline to qualify for the new post-study work (PSW) visa.
“Applicants who began their studies in Autumn 2020 have until September 27, 2021, to enter the UK with permission as a Student (updated from the previous date of June 21, 2021) in order to be eligible to apply to the Graduate route. Students who began their studies in January or February 2021 will need to be in the UK by September 27, 2021,” reads the Home Office updated guidance.
This gives students an extra three months to get back to the UK; for many, this keeps their dream of seeking employment abroad alive.
“Since India’s entry onto the red list a few months ago, NISAU has been requesting the Home Office to consider an extension of the June 21, 2021, entry deadline for Indian students to be in the UK as a condition of eligibility for the Graduate route,” said NISAU UK chair Sanam Arora.
“We are delighted that the Home Office has accepted our request and know that this will significantly help many students who are unable to travel given the Covid situation in India right now. Huge sigh of relief,” she said.
According to the most recent Home Office statistics from earlier this month, there was a 6,391 increase in the number of study visa grants to Indian nationals in the year ending March 2021 – marking a 13 per cent hike over the previous year. It indicates that most Indian students remain keen to take up their courses in the UK.
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