The UK government has extended its pilot student visa scheme to 23 more universities. The scheme gives benefit to the Indian and non-European students to find jobs after completing their studies by extending their visa for 6 months more.

Earlier only four universities were kept under this scheme- Oxford, Bath, Cambridge and Imperial College London.

The scheme was first announced last year, and this year the main aim of this scheme is to focus on international students who are planning to spend 13 months or less in the UK for their masters’ degree course.

The scheme will also help students to search for a job by providing them with a work visa for six months after graduation.

Also, under this scheme, the students will have to pass the Home Office Security and Identity check, failing which, the applicants will be refused.

The universities under this scheme will also be given responsibility to check the eligibility of the students which will reduce the number of documents required for verification than before.

Over the last year, an increase of 8% in the number of students who applied for visas was seen in the UK and also 9% increase in students applying to Russell Group Universities.