Effective from Monday, more stringent UK visa regulations will limit international students, including those from India, starting courses at British universities this month, restricting them from bringing family members except for postgraduate research courses and courses with government-funded scholarships.
The UK Home Office, in line with measures initially announced by former home secretary Suella Braverman in May last year, emphasized that these changes aim to curb individuals exploiting the student visa for illicit work entry into the UK. The amendments are anticipated to result in around 140,000 fewer individuals coming to the UK.
Home Secretary James Cleverly labeled the current practice of overseas students bringing dependents as "unreasonable," emphasizing the government's commitment to cutting migration. These changes, part of a broader strategy, intend to prevent 300,000 people from entering the UK.
Official figures revealed a significant surge in the number of visas issued to dependents of students, rising by over 930% since 2019. The UK's Office for National Statistics recorded 152,980 visas issued to dependants of students in the year ending September 2023, a substantial increase from 14,839 in the year ending September 2019.
UK Minister for Legal Migration and the Border Tom Pursglove emphasized the commitment to a decisive reduction in migration, and the adjustments to student visas are designed to strike the right balance, preserving the appeal of the UK's higher education sector while addressing unsustainable migration levels.
The Home Office highlighted plans to collaborate with universities for an alternative approach, allowing the brightest and best students to bring dependants while curbing net migration. As part of broader immigration measures, the UK government has committed to reducing migration levels, targeting both legal and illegal channels into the country.
The adjustments to student visas are considered a vital step in maintaining the UK's reputation for quality education, ensuring institutions prioritize education over immigration practices. While Indian nationals constitute the largest group in the student visa category, making up 43% of grants, the government intends to work collaboratively with universities to implement changes gradually throughout early 2024.
Moreover, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will review the graduate route or post-study work visa. Last month, additional measures, including tightening health and care visas and increasing salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker route, were announced, signaling the government's commitment to comprehensive immigration reforms.
