An Indian student studying in the UK has drawn significant attention — and criticism — after a LinkedIn post offering to work without pay in exchange for a visa-sponsored job went viral. In the post, the Leicester-based student, who came to the UK for higher education in 2021, revealed she had only three months left to secure a job before her student visa expired, or face deportation. After applying to over 300 positions without success, she made an extraordinary offer: to work for free for one month, allowing any potential employer to fire her instantly if unsatisfied with her performance.
A Last-Ditch Effort Amid a Struggling Job Market.
The graduate, who is seeking a design engineering role, expressed her frustration in the LinkedIn post, stating, “My Graduate Visa EXPIRES in 3 months … repost this to help me stay in the UK.” Since graduating in 2022, she shared that she had tirelessly searched for a visa-sponsored job, but had found little response from employers.
“The job market feels like there’s no value for me, my degree, or my capabilities… I have applied to 300+ jobs and received only a handful of useful feedback,” she wrote. In her heartfelt appeal, she further expressed a willingness to work beyond conventional limits, stating, “I’ll work 12 hours per day and 7 days a week to prove my worth.” Her post reflects the increasing desperation of international students in the UK and elsewhere who, facing immigration and financial pressures, go to extreme lengths to secure employment.
Rising Criticism Over “Free Labor” Offer.
The student’s LinkedIn post quickly went viral, drawing widespread backlash on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Reddit. Many users criticized her offer to work without compensation, arguing that such proposals undermine fair labor practices and may create harmful precedents for other job seekers.
Comments like, “Twelve such candidates for 12 months and the company’s golden. Zero salary given and free labor,” underscored concerns that unpaid work could encourage exploitative practices. Others took a personal jab, branding her actions as ‘ridiculous’ and accusing her of devaluing the worth of skilled workers. “It’s sad to see how Indians beg for work to stay abroad,” one user commented, while another remarked, “Desperate to hold on to a country that wants to kick you out.”
Several critics also pointed out that offers of free labor from international students could unintentionally displace other candidates, with some calling it unfair and damaging to the broader job market. “The offer to work for free might also push more deserving candidates out of jobs,” a Reddit user warned, voicing concerns that unpaid work undercuts the job market, especially for recent graduates struggling to make inroads in competitive fields.
Growing Desperation Among Indian Students.
The student’s plea and the resulting controversy reveal a growing trend among Indian students and graduates abroad. Many, faced with the expiry of student visas and tightening immigration policies, find themselves resorting to increasingly desperate measures to stay in the country where they’ve studied. With a significant financial investment in their international education, these students often feel a sense of urgency to secure work opportunities that justify the costs and efforts they’ve invested.
As the cost of living rises and visa regulations tighten, the path to employment abroad has become increasingly challenging for international graduates. India is among the largest sources of international students for countries like the UK, the United States, and Canada, with thousands of young professionals vying for limited sponsored work positions upon graduation. According to recent statistics, there were nearly 143,000 Indian students in the UK in 2023 alone, and their numbers are expected to increase as more young Indians seek higher education and job opportunities abroad.
However, visa sponsorships, especially in specialized fields like design engineering, remain limited. Graduates on student or graduate visas face immense pressure to secure employment within short timeframes, often leading to offers like this student’s unpaid work proposal. The trend not only sheds light on the struggles faced by international graduates but also raises ethical concerns around labor practices and fair treatment of skilled workers.
Rising Costs, Limited Opportunities, and Immigration Hurdles.
For many Indian students, the dream of studying abroad represents a significant financial commitment, with tuition fees and living costs sometimes exceeding what families might expect to pay domestically. For instance, in the UK, international students pay an average of £15,000-£25,000 annually in tuition fees, excluding living expenses. The financial pressure to secure well-paying, visa-sponsored jobs after graduation is often daunting, especially when opportunities fail to meet demand.
Economic challenges, such as rising inflation and a tight job market, compound these difficulties, leaving students in a precarious situation as they near their visa expiry dates. Additionally, post-Brexit policies in the UK have added further strain, with tighter immigration rules limiting the flexibility international graduates once had to transition into long-term employment.
Despite these hurdles, many Indian students remain committed to staying in their host countries, driven by the hope of building stable, prosperous futures. However, offers of free labor to attract potential employers raise ethical and professional concerns, with experts warning that such trends may set unhealthy standards and exploit vulnerable workers. Critics argue that these practices risk compromising the job market and perpetuating a culture that undervalues international talent.
Calls for Supportive Measures and Ethical Employment Standards.
The backlash against the student’s post has reignited debates about fair employment practices, highlighting the need for universities, governments, and employers to collaborate in creating pathways for international graduates. Some have called for more structured support programs that help students transition from education to employment, including mentorship initiatives, job placement programs, and networking opportunities.
Furthermore, advocacy groups argue that more clarity and flexibility in visa sponsorship rules could alleviate pressures on international graduates, allowing them to seek job opportunities on an even playing field without resorting to offers of unpaid labor. As immigration policies continue to evolve, experts encourage a focus on ethical employment standards, urging both employers and governments to value the skills, education, and contributions of international graduates.
In the end, the student’s post serves as a stark reminder of the challenges international graduates face, sparking broader discussions about the need for fair treatment and support for young professionals navigating post-study work opportunities. As the debate continues, it remains evident that balancing labor needs, immigration policies, and ethical practices will be essential in addressing the rising desperation felt by students seeking to build their futures abroad.