According to existing international university students, Scotland has proposed a new graduate visa that would enable them to remain and prosper in the country.
The Scottish Graduate Visa, proposed by First Minister John Swinney, would permit foreign graduates of Scottish universities to stay in the nation after completing their education. The project seeks to stimulate economic growth and address Scotland's demographic challenges, but its execution would necessitate collaboration from the UK government.
The proposal has sparked debate among international students, many of whom view it as a vital opportunity to build careers in Scotland.
Maria González, a postgraduate student at the University of Edinburgh, finds the initiative promising. “This visa would allow me to gain experience in Scotland without the immediate pressure of securing a Skilled Worker Visa,” she told The Glasgow Tab.
“I love studying here and want to stay, but the visa process can be overwhelming. This could make a real difference.”
However, some students question whether the proposal goes far enough in addressing broader immigration challenges.
Emma Stevens, a third-year student at the University of Glasgow, sees it as progress but has concerns. “It’s a step in the right direction, but two years may not be enough to meet the high salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa,” she told The Glasgow Tab.
“I hope the UK Government expands opportunities for graduates beyond this initial period.”
Scotland has previously introduced tailored migration routes. In 2005, the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme allowed international graduates to stay and work in Scotland for two years before being replaced by a UK-wide post-study work visa, which was later scrapped in 2012.
The Scottish Government has also proposed targeted migration initiatives like the Rural Visa Pilot and the Scottish Visa to tackle workforce shortages. However, UK ministers have not supported region-specific visa programs.
A UK Government spokesperson responded to the proposal, stating: “The Graduate Route already allows talented international students to remain in the UK after completing their studies.
“We continue to collaborate with the Scottish Government on overlapping policy areas, but there are no plans for a Scotland-specific visa.”
As discussions unfold, the proposal raises key questions about Scotland’s ability to address demographic and economic challenges under the UK’s current immigration system. For now, international students and policymakers will be watching closely to see whether Westminster engages or if the plan remains aspirational.
1
2
3
4
.svg)
