The UK government’s recent proposal to shorten the post-study graduate visa from two years to 18 months has stirred concerns in higher education, particularly regarding its impact on international students. However, amidst the attention on students, a crucial group has been largely overlooked: international academic staff and researchers.
In the 2022-23 academic year, nearly 78,000 international academics were employed across UK higher education institutions, making up almost a third of the academic workforce. In certain fields like engineering and technology, this number rises to nearly half. These international scholars are not just supplementary; they are integral to the teaching, research, and international standing of British universities. However, tightening immigration policies may transform the UK into a mere stopover for academic talent rather than a destination for long-term career development.
The Emotional and Logistical Burden of Mobility
Over the past decade, academic careers have become increasingly global. Researchers move across borders to build competitive CVs, collaborate internationally, and adapt to a globally connected knowledge economy. Yet, this mobility comes with significant emotional and logistical challenges. According to recent research, published in the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Consumer Psychology, internationally mobile academics often navigate a demanding and destabilizing lifestyle, marked not by privilege, but by constant relocation.
For many, the greatest challenge is emotional. The concept of an “emotional home”—a stable, familiar place with family and community—is difficult to maintain when academic careers require constant movement. Instead, many international academics develop what are referred to as “functional homes”: temporary living arrangements such as university flats, rented rooms, or short-term housing close to research facilities. While these spaces meet basic needs, they rarely provide the psychological comfort and stability that comes with feeling settled.
One international academic shared their experience: “Living far from my parents, friends, and hometown is very isolating. Imagine living in a city of eight million people [London], and yet feeling so alone. To escape this feeling, I stay in the office late, work from busy coffee shops, and even rented a flat in the city centre. But none of these seem to help.”
The Social and Psychological Impact
While professional belonging within academic departments is often found, building a meaningful social network outside of work is more difficult. This is especially true for those on short-term contracts or those unsure of how long they will stay. Some academics rely on expatriate communities or what researchers call “commercial friendships”—temporary social connections made at gyms, cafés, or public spaces. These relationships can offer a brief sense of community but are often fragile and unsustainable without secure immigration status or clear pathways to permanent settlement.
The situation is compounded by rising immigration fees, health surcharges, and an extended waiting period for citizenship, which has been doubled from five to ten years. As immigration policies become more restrictive, the emotional cost of international mobility becomes unsustainable for many academics, as their ability to plan long-term is severely limited.
The Cognitive Burden of Constant Relocation
The challenges of mobility are not just emotional; they also create a cognitive burden. Academics must constantly relearn how to navigate everyday life—whether it’s understanding healthcare systems, finding housing, or dealing with new tax codes. Even seasoned researchers face the ongoing difficulty of adjusting to new regulations and practices in each country they work in.
One Chinese academic described the feeling of perpetual displacement: “With every move, there are so many unknowns to deal with—new banks, finding a place to live, schools for the kids. Even when returning to a familiar country, something has changed, and I have to adjust again.”
Each additional immigration barrier, such as changes in visa regulations or compliance requirements, adds to this uncertainty. The mental energy spent on staying compliant with immigration laws detracts from the cognitive space needed to conduct research, teach effectively, or build institutional relationships.
Universities Must Support International Academics
If the UK is serious about remaining a global hub for research and innovation, universities must take the lead in addressing these challenges. While immigration policy is ultimately outside the control of institutions, universities can take proactive steps to better support their international staff.
One important measure would be offering relocation assistance, including help with housing, schooling for children, healthcare access, and spousal employment. Universities could also offer more flexible working policies to help international academics maintain connections with families in different time zones, allowing for better work-life balance.
Furthermore, universities should implement structured social support initiatives, such as peer mentoring programs and community integration activities, to help combat isolation. Tailored mental health resources that address the unique emotional challenges of international mobility would also be beneficial.
The Impact of Hostile Immigration Policies
The proposed changes to the graduate visa and broader immigration restrictions are not just bureaucratic adjustments; they reflect a broader political climate that has become increasingly hostile to immigrants. For international academics, these policies send a clear message: they are replaceable, and their position in the UK is conditional.
But these academics are more than just workers in a system—they are researchers publishing in top journals, lecturers shaping future generations, and collaborators securing major international grants. If UK universities are to continue attracting and retaining top talent, they must advocate for immigration policies that acknowledge the unique challenges and contributions of international academic staff.
Anything less risks undermining the trust and goodwill that make academic careers in the UK viable, ultimately damaging the quality of education and research across the entire sector.
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