Of those who switched from the graduate visa last year, around half left Britain, about 43% moved onto a skilled worker visa, while the remainder switched to smaller visa schemes or to a student visa.
New measures designed to curb immigration numbers were introduced by the previous Conservative government and came into effect at various dates from January 2024. International students were restricted from bringing family to Britain with them, while salary thresholds were increased to stop the lowest paid employees being granted work visas.
As farmers gathered outside the conference centre in central London on Tuesday and sounded their tractor horns in protest, Mr Reed announced measures including the extended visa scheme, support for precision breeding and new technology.
Steve Reed told the National Farmers' Union (NUF) conference in London that the visa route for foreign workers would be lengthened to help boost the agricultural sector and ensure greater confidence over future labour supply.
The change to seasonal visas will not impact the overall migration figures, the Home Office said, because seasonal workers can only remain in the UK for six months to pick flowers, fruit or vegetables.
