Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ In a significant shift, the UK has implemented stricter visa rules affecting international students, including those from India, commencing this month. The regulations restrict students from bringing family members, with exceptions only for postgraduate research courses or courses with government-funded scholarships. Originally proposed by former home secretary Suella Braverman in May last year, the changes aim to combat the misuse of student visas as a gateway for work in the UK. The move is expected to result in 140,000 fewer individuals entering the UK, aligning with the government’s commitment to immigration reduction.
Home Secretary James Cleverly labeled the previous practice of overseas students bringing dependents an “unreasonable” one, noting a staggering 930% surge in dependent visas since 2019. The government has set out a comprehensive plan to curtail migration, control borders, and prevent abuse of the immigration system. Cleverly stated that the revised rules would put an end to the “unreasonable practice” of students bringing family members to the UK, contributing to a substantial reduction in migration.
The Office for National Statistics reported a significant rise, with 152,980 visas issued to dependents of students in the year ending September 2023, up from 14,839 in the same period in 2019. To better protect public services and bolster the economy, the government aims to curb excessive migration while ensuring that the most significant contributors, i.e., students, continue to be welcome.
The changes aim to strike a balance, preserving the allure of the UK’s world-leading higher education sector while preventing institutions from exploiting immigration over education. The government intends to collaborate with universities to develop an alternative approach for outstanding students to bring dependents to the country’s esteemed educational institutions. This series of measures, coupled with recent initiatives like tightening health and care visas and raising salary thresholds, underscores the UK government’s commitment to reducing overall net migration.
Indian nationals, comprising 43% of students in the affected category, are particularly impacted, prompting concerns from diaspora student groups. As part of the broader strategy, the government will commission the Migration Advisory Committee to review the Graduate route or post-study work visa. The Home Office justifies these measures as a necessary and fair approach to achieving sustainable migration levels. The changes will be introduced gradually throughout early 2024, allowing those affected adequate time to prepare for the impending alterations.
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office
