Attracting world-class talent

22nd March 2015

Cross-Sector report strengthens calls for reinstatement of post study work visa.

Scotland needs to attract and retain the best international student talent to support and strengthen our economy, Minister for Europe and International Development, Humza Yousaf said today (Sunday March 22).

Mr Yousaf was speaking in response to the publication today of a report by business and education sector specialists on the merits of reinstating post study work opportunities for overseas graduates in Scotland.

The report outlines overwhelming support from leading representatives of Scotland's business and education sectors, for allowing international graduates of Scottish universities and colleges to remain in Scotland for a defined period of time on completion of their studies.

It follows the abolition by the UK Government of the previous post study work route in 2012, a move the Scottish Government strongly opposed.

Welcoming today’s Post Study Work working group report, Mr Yousaf said:"This report demonstrates overwhelming support from Scotland’s business and education sectors for the reintroduction of the post study work visa for overseas graduates - something the Scottish Government has repeatedly called for.

“We need to grow our working-age population to support and strengthen our economy. So we must be able to attract and retain world-class talent to fill vacancies which cannot be filled by resident workers.

“This report recognises that the post study work visa is an important lever for attracting the best international student talent, securing essential income streams, and allowing talented graduates to continue contributing to Scotland after their studies end.

“The report makes clear the benefits that our education institutions, communities and economy enjoyed when previous post study work routes operated in Scotland, and the negative impact we’ve seen since they were closed by the UK Government in 2012.

“The Scottish Government opposed the closure of the post study work visa and we have consistently argued for its reintroduction. We will continue to press the UK Government on this point.

“We welcome the Smith Commission’s view that that the UK and Scottish Governments should work together to explore a potential new post-study work scheme for Scotland and will make every effort to work with the UK Government to ensure that such a route is re-established in Scotland. Today’s report is a clear indication that business and education in Scotland are equally keen to see the reintroduction of post study work visas.

“Immigration policy is currently too heavily influenced by the priorities of the south east of England, based on the values of the current UK Government and driven by a desire to reduce the numbers of incoming migrants which does not recognise Scotland’s needs and does not serve our economic or societal interests.

“Scotland’s needs are different to those in the rest of the UK. Scotland has a large, established migrant community and the Scottish Government welcomes the contribution new Scots are making to our economy and society."

The Post Study Work working group was set up by the Minister for Europe and International Development in Summer 2014 and tasked with providing a view from the business and tertiary education sectors on the impact of the removal of a post study work scheme in Scotland and how such a scheme could operate if reintroduced.

Should such a scheme be reintroduced, it would enable non-European Economic Area (EEA) students completing studies at a Scottish further or higher education institution, to stay and work in Scotland for a defined period of time after graduation. EEA students are already permitted to study, live and work in Scotland under the EU principle of free movement of persons.