Post-study work visa for Indian stundents: Scotland

According to the officials of a leading political party in the country, Scotland is all set to re-introduce the post study work visa facility for Indian students as a priority.

The reintroduction implies that Indian students shall be permitted to work for a minimum of 2 years after completing their studies in Scotland.

Once the post-study work visa is reinstated, the candidates who got the opportunity to gain education in Scotland may choose to contribute to the economy.

Scotland is keen on the return of the post-study work visa, in a bid to win back the waning foreign student population.

The post-study work visa facility was scrapped by the United Kingdom (UK) government in the year 2012. These visas allowed graduates to work in UK for a period of two years after the completion of their studies.

As per reports, after UK modified its immigration policy which stopped its post-study work option for international students, Scotland has witnessed around 51% decrease in Indian students opting for Scottish educational institutes.

Currently, more than 2,000 Indian students are pursuing different higher education courses throughout Scotland.

Due to UK's strict visa policy, other competitor countries which offer more lucrative post-study work opportunities have benefitted as students prefer such countries to pursue higher studies. Moreover, there is a brain-drain of skilled candidates from Scotland.

UK's present post-study work policy is unable to cater adequately to the needs of Scottish employers and affects the education sector adversely.

The unrestricted exchange of students and scholars is a key element of the success of any academic institute.

Hence, the immigration system should not be a hindrance to such facilities, which will act as a deterrent for foreign students to pursue their higher education in the UK.