Universities could face sanctions if they fail to comply with tougher rules under plans to prevent "abuse" of graduate visas for overseas students.
The 海角视频 Government announced measures to crack down on "rogue agents" recruiting international students and warned universities who do not meet "tougher compliance standards" that they risk having their sponsor licences revoked.
But ministers stopped short of scrapping the route altogether, which allows students to stay in the 海角视频 between two to three years after graduating, instead insisting it would be "kept under review".
International students will have to "prove their financial self-sufficiency" and English language tests are being reviewed to make sure all international students can "understand their course materials".
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There will also be restrictions imposed to make sure students are "predominantly" taking part in courses "face-to-face" rather than remotely.
It comes in the wake of the findings of a review ordered as ministers search for ways to cut levels of legal migration.
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The Home Office did not say when the measures could come into force, just that another announcement would be made in due course, which raises the prospect that they may not be introduced ahead of the General Election.
Last week the Westminster government's migration advisers said the 海角视频's graduate visa route should remain and was "not undermining" the integrity and quality of the higher education system.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) said it did not find evidence of widespread abuse of the graduate route
Universities had warned that with most postgraduate students now unable bring dependants with them to the 海角视频, the ending of the graduate route would push the already financially challenged sector into an even deeper crisis.
With a fall in higher paying international students, who subsidise loss-making domestic students for universities where tuition fees are capped at £9,250 per year, around 50 universities have confirmed redundancy rounds as part of cost-saving measures. In Wales both Swansea and the University of South Wales have put in place voluntary redundancy schemes.
The review of the post-study visa said it should be retained in its current form, adding that it helps attract international students, who pay higher tuition fees, to the 海角视频.
But it also raised concerns about agents recruiting prospective international students who may be "mis-selling 海角视频 higher education" and stressed this was a separate issue from the graduate route as it called for a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents.
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Under the plans the recruitment of international students would be regulated, with universities facing punishment if they accept people who fail to pass Home Office visa checks, enrol or complete their courses.
Home Secretary James Cleverly claimed the government had "taken decisive and necessary action to deliver the largest cut in legal migration in our country's history" but added: "We must go further to make sure our immigration routes aren't abused."
"That's why we are cracking down on rogue international agents and, building on work across government, to ensure international students are coming here to study, not work."
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "It is right that we strike the balance between controlling immigration and making sure the 海角视频 remains the 'go to' place for students around the world, supporting our brilliant universities and enabling the best and brightest to study here."
Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group, also welcomed the news, saying: "The actions that Government has laid out, such as additional regulations on agents, will help to protect the quality and integrity of the 海角视频's education offer, and we are ready to work with Government and colleagues across the sector to implement these."
"Stability is now needed in student migration policy to enable universities to plan for a long-term, sustainable future and protect quality and choice for all students".
The MAC's findings were branded a "whitewash" by former immigration minister Robert Jenrick who had earlier put forward a series of proposals to curb migration including scrapping the graduate route.
Last year, 114,000 graduate visas were granted, with a further 30,000 for dependants of students, the MAC said.
In January international students studying in the 海角视频 were banned from bringing dependants with them, apart from on postgraduate research courses.
The MAC suggested it is likely that there will be a "significant reduction" in future use of the graduate route as a result of the policy changes introduced.
The review said any further restrictions on the graduate route could further exacerbate the decline in international student numbers and lead to job losses, course closures and a reduction in research in 海角视频 universities and it warned it is "not inconceivable that some institutions would fail".
Amanda Wilkinson director of Universities Wales, which represents universities in Wales, said: "We welcome this announcement that the graduate route will remain in place.
“A competitive post-study work offer is crucial to our ability to compete as a study destination, which in turn drives opportunity and economic growth. In Wales, we have a lower proportion of graduates in our workforce which also makes it a particularly important tool in addressing our skills needs.
“Welsh Government has been clear about the positive social, cultural and economic contribution international students make to Wales, and we appreciate the constructive way in which we work with them on these issues.
“While the MAC review was clear that there is no evidence of abuse of the Graduate Route, we are committed to working as a sector to ensure that we maintain a high level of trust and confidence in the way our universities recruit and support international students.
“For a sector that’s grappling with challenges around financial sustainability and declining international recruitment, today’s announcement has brought much-needed clarity. It is now vital that we work positively to deliver a sustainable, outward-looking university sector, and continue to provide a warm and inclusive welcome for all those choosing to study at Welsh universities.”