London/IBNS: Following a backlash, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has dropped the plan to restrict the graduate visas which facilitate students from abroad to work in Britain for two years after they complete their courses, media reports said.

Sunak received the backlash from his own cabinet members.

Though he has dropped the plans to restrict the graduate visas, the Prime Minister is likely to go ahead with imposing stricter rules in immigration.

As per the new rules, the Sunak government is likely to be strict with agents who advertise UK degree courses abroad.

The agents, as per the new rules, might have to face a penalty if they fail to deliver the desired quality of students as promised.

Students from abroad will have to undergo English tests to opt for courses in the UK, where Indians form about 40 percent of the total students who avail graduate visas.

As per reports, the announcement is likely to be made on Thursday.

In April this year, the United Kingdom hiked the family visa income requirement by 55 percent in a bid to control the legal migration to the country.

After the new measure taken by the Rishi Sunak government, the minimum income required to sponsor someone coming to the UK on a family visa increased from £18,600 to £29,000 effective from April 11.

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak on Wednesday announced the schedule for the country's general elections on July 4.

The poll will be the first time Sunak, 44, faces the public while in charge after he was appointed leader of the largest party in parliament by Conservative MPs in October 2022.