Petition · Home Office

Create & grant a 5-year visa for students who worked in the UK for a year

Open for signatures 16 signatures

What the petition asks

We call on the Government to grant a 5-year work visa to international students who have worked legally in the UK for at least 1 year. This should be a direct pathway to residency based on BACS-verified tax contributions, independent of a single employer's sponsorship.
Many international students contribute to the UK economy for years via PAYE but may face deportation or employer exploitation due to the restrictive sponsorship system. By granting a visa based on verified HMRC/BACS history, the UK could retain vetted talent and increase tax revenue. This could reward legal migrants, many of whom are the backbone of the economy, and eliminate what we believe are exploitary conditions created when a visa is tied to a single employer, which may lead to financial extortion.

Timeline

28 Apr 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 16
Status Open for signatures
Department Home Office
Opened 28 Apr 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.