The Scottish Government has unveiled plans for a new graduate visa scheme aimed at attracting and retaining international talent in ...

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The Scottish Government has unveiled plans for a new graduate visa scheme aimed at attracting and retaining international talent in Scotland.

This proposed initiative, dubbed the “Scottish Graduate Route”, would allow international students to remain in Scotland for up to two years after completing their studies.

The Scottish Graduate Route would offer several benefits to international graduates:

  • A two-year post-study work visa
  • Opportunity to gain valuable work experience in Scotland
  • Potential pathway to long-term settlement

This proposal comes as part of Scotland’s efforts to address its demographic challenges and boost economic growth.

The Scottish Government believes that retaining international graduates is crucial for addressing skills shortages and supporting key sectors of the economy.

It’s worth noting that the UK already has a Graduate visa scheme in place, which allows international students to stay and work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree (three years for doctoral students).

However, the Scottish Government’s proposal aims to tailor this approach specifically to Scotland’s needs and potentially offer additional benefits.

The First Minister, said: “I have set out the areas where I believe urgent action, clarity of purpose and collective endeavour are necessary if we are to truly prosper as a nation.

“Maximising the economic and community benefit from our massive energy wealth, acting now to address our looming population crisis, and committing ourselves once again to Europe and its single market is essential for the wellbeing of our society and the future success of our economy.

“The pragmatic approach I am setting out today when it comes to migration is an attractive proposition for international students and will ensure they can gain experience as they work towards the high salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa.

“I urge the UK Government to work with us – not dismiss this proposal out of hand – to ensure that we can attract and retain those students and graduates to Scotland, so that they can continue to contribute to our economy and society.”

While the Scottish Government is keen to implement this new visa route, immigration policy remains a reserved matter for the UK Government. Therefore, the Scottish Government will need to engage in discussions with Westminster to make this proposal a reality.

The Scottish Government plans to publish a paper outlining the full details of the proposed Scottish Graduate Route. This document will serve as a basis for negotiations with the UK Government and further consultations with stakeholders.

As Scotland seeks to position itself as an attractive destination for international students and skilled workers, this proposed graduate visa scheme could play a significant role in shaping the country’s future workforce and economic landscape.

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