Britain has started a pilot program for international master's students, including those from China, which allows them to stay in the country for an extra six months after graduation.

The so-called Tier 4 Visa scheme is intended to run for two years and is open to international students on one-year programs at the Oxford University, Cambridge University, Bath University and Imperial College London.

The program began to cover visa applications on July 25 and is for students who are to commence studies in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years.

Under the pilot, no funding or education background certificates are required for a visa.

A notice from the British government sent to vice-chancellors says the four universities "were selected due to their consistently low level of visa refusals".

"The pilot is intentionally narrow in scope in order to monitor the pilot outcomes against the stated objectives and to minimize the risk of unintended consequences before considering rolling it out more widely," it adds.

Alice Gast, president of Imperial College London, hails the scheme as an encouraging step forward.

"The ability to stay on for six months will bring benefits to the students and to the country, as our talented graduates will be able to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas, further study or add to the UK's talent pool," she says.

Tanya Wang, senior immigration adviser at UVIC Group, an education and visa service, says the purpose of the scheme is clear, "to attract more exceptional talent to the UK" and "could be a sign of easing immigration policy".

However, she says the move does not cover everyone. The government wants to keep Britain attractive for talented students, entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and people from whom the country can benefit in a post-Brexit context.

The new plan offers students access to a streamlined visa application process and the opportunity to stay in Britain for six months after their studies to work, start a business or travel.

Some insiders believe it is a step in the right direction, but that it will not make a huge difference for those seeking permanent employment opportunities in Britain, which requires a switch to a work visa.

wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com