Introduction
In a strategic move against demographic challenges and to sustain economic growth, the Scottish Government has proposed “Scottish Graduate Visa.” This move is aimed at assisting international graduates and graduating students into the Scottish workforce, forming a bridging link between existing post-study and skilled workers’ visa routes.
Demographic and Economic Challenges
Scotland suffers from specific demographic challenges, namely an ageing population and falling birth rates, which pose potential threats to its economy. This visa aims to encourage and retain international talent in order to mitigate these problems and contribute to economic development within the country.
Proposed Features of the Scottish Graduate Visa
The ‘Scottish Graduate Visa’ as envisaged will be provided as a two-year permit, allowing international graduates to gain relevant work experience within Scotland over the course of this period. This span is planned to give them the requisite time to meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa by enhancing salary thresholds and job experience. The visa aims at increasing the attractiveness of institutions for international students and professionals by providing this period of transition.
Implementation and Partnership with the U.K. Government
Overseeing immigration is a reserved issue for the UK, and so the successful implementation of the ‘Scottish Graduate Visa’ would necessitate extensive collaboration with the UK Government. The collaboration would place an added emphasis on mutual benefits of retaining skilled graduates in the country.
Conclusion
The ‘Scottish Graduate Visa’ proposed by the Scottish Government is, therefore, a proactive approach taken to retain international graduates in the face of urgent demographic and economic challenges. Through enabling a smooth transition from academic life to professional life, Scotland endeavours to transform its workforce into a pillar of economic prosperity.