Protect the Graduate Route: An Open Letter
Abimbola Sunmoila, your Wrexham Students' Union President has written an open letter to the Home Office and Members of Parliament, raising concerns about the proposed reduction of the Graduate Route visa from two years to eighteen months.
Read the letter below to find out why he is raising these concerns and how you can show your support by signing the petition.
Open Letter: Protect the Graduate Route and Support International Students
To: Home Office and Andrew Ranger MP, Members of Parliament
Subject: Protect the Graduate Route Visa and Support International Student Success
Dear Home Office,
I am writing as President of the Wrexham University Students' Union to express my concerns about the proposed reduction of the Graduate Route visa from two years to eighteen months.
As a Students' Union representing a diverse student community, including many international students, we have seen first-hand the positive contribution these students make to our university, local communities, and the wider Welsh economy. The Graduate Route is a key factor in attracting talented students to study in the UK, providing them with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and contribute to the economy after graduation.
The proposed reduction risks undermining the attractiveness of the UK as a global study destination at a time when Welsh universities are already facing significant challenges. Recent evidence from the Welsh Senedd (2026) shows that Welsh universities generated £353 million in income from international student fees in 2023/24, with institutions increasingly relying on this income to support teaching, research, and wider university provision.
Furthermore, international student recruitment is already under pressure. Data shows that international student enrolments at Welsh universities fell by 24.7% between 2023/24 and 2024/25, demonstrating how sensitive student recruitment is to changes in immigration policy.
This proposal also appears inconsistent with Wales’s future workforce needs. Universities Wales estimates that Wales will require an additional 400,000 graduates by 2035 to meet future skills demands. International graduates play an important role in addressing skills shortages and supporting economic growth across a range of sectors.
In addition, Wales faces significant demographic challenges, including an ageing population and workforce pressures across key sectors. International graduates help strengthen our workforce, support local businesses, and contribute to communities across Wales. The evidence is clear that migration, including international students, plays a significant role in supporting the Welsh economy and public services.
For many international students, the Graduate Route is not simply a visa pathway; it is an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop their careers, and contribute meaningfully to the communities in which they have studied and lived. Reducing this opportunity sends an unfortunate message that the UK is becoming a less welcoming destination for international talent.
I therefore urge you to oppose the proposed reduction of the Graduate Route and advocate for policies that continue to attract, retain, and support talented international graduates. Doing so will benefit students, universities, employers, and the wider economy in Wales and across the United Kingdom.
Thank you for taking the time to consider these concerns. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and share the perspectives of the students we represent.
Yours sincerely,
Abimbola Caleb Sunmoila
President
Wrexham University Students' Union
Want to show your support?
Wrexham University students can add their names to the petition here: https://form.jotform.com/262796382282064
