UK Toughens Student Visa Rules, Restricts Family Members of International Students

The United Kingdom has enforced stricter regulations on student visas, restricting the ability of international students, including Indians, to bring family members, effective immediately.

The changes, instigated from Monday, will limit family members' inclusion to specific courses, primarily postgraduate research programs and courses with government-funded scholarships.

Stringent Visa Norms:

The UK Home Office, under the directives of former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, aims to curb the exploitation of student visas as a gateway for individuals seeking employment in the UK. These modifications intend to significantly reduce migration numbers, projecting a decrease of approximately 140,000 individuals entering the UK.

Addressing the Migration Issue:

Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the government's commitment to curtailing migration, highlighting the regulation's goal to deter the surge in dependents accompanying overseas students. Official data reveals a staggering increase of over 930% in the number of dependents accompanying students since 2019.

Statement from Officials:

Cleverly asserted, "Today, a major part of that plan comes into effect, ending the unreasonable practice of overseas students bringing their family members to the UK. This will see migration falling rapidly by the tens of thousands and contribute to our overall strategy to prevent 300,000 people from coming to the UK."

Visa Statistics and Strategies:

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a notable increase in visas issued to dependents of students, rising from 14,839 in September 2019 to a substantial 152,980 in September 2023. Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, Tom Pursglove, expressed the commitment to decisive migration reduction while ensuring students' continued contribution to the economy.

UK's Higher Education Sector:

The government, aiming to balance migration control and the allure of UK universities, plans to collaborate with educational institutions. This collaboration seeks to design alternative pathways allowing the brightest students to bring dependents while sustaining the decline in net migration.

Future Measures and Policy Adjustments:

Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's administration, additional measures, including health and care visa amendments and salary threshold increases, have been announced to further regulate migration. The independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will review the Graduate route or post-study work visa.

Indian Student Concerns:

Indian nationals constitute the largest group granted student visas, accounting for 43% of grants. The proposed review of the Graduate route has triggered concerns among diaspora student groups, as it significantly influences Indian students' choice of UK universities.

Conclusion:

The UK government's concerted efforts, encompassing visa revisions and policy adjustments, aim to achieve a considerable reduction of around 300,000 individuals entering the UK. These measures, while challenging, prioritize sustainable migration levels, allowing affected parties ample time to prepare for the impending changes.