International STEM students

Published 17 July 2014.

The government says it has "the right balance" in its student visa policy, does not accept calls for a biennial review, a separate student migration target or reinstating the old post study work route, and commits to some improvements, including a new ATAS system.

• On a biennial review of the immigration experience, the government states: "We do not consider that a biennial review would improve the ongoing and holistic process of review", citing existing continuous review and the Joint Education Taskforce.
• On separating students from net migration statistics, it says "Changing the way we measure migration would not make any difference to our student migration policy", noting that ONS data already distinguish students from other migrants.
• On the post study work route, it does not reinstate the old visa, calling it "absurdly generous", and says it "does not consider that a separate report on this is necessary". It does not believe the Tier 2 salary threshold "is too high".
• On ATAS, it is replacing the online application system and "we expect the improved service to be introduced in the coming months". It will also "take steps to clarify the subjects that are covered by ATAS".

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