In response to the impending ban on dependents’ entry to the UK, set to take effect on January 1, 2024, there has been a notable surge in demand among Indian students eager to secure spots at British universities. The urgency stems from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement earlier this year, citing a nearly eightfold increase in family members joining foreign students as the rationale behind the ban. This prohibition specifically targets individuals not pursuing “high-value” degrees as outlined in government plans.
As reported by IANS, the heightened demand is underscored by instances where families are willing to pay substantial amounts, such as the reported case of a couple who paid a staggering 30,000 pounds to secure both a student visa and a dependent’s visa. To navigate the impending restrictions, some universities have proactively opened early applications in November and December, enabling students to expedite their visa processes and potentially circumvent the forthcoming ban.
The decision to impose the ban follows a significant upswing in study-related visas for dependents, with numbers nearly doubling from 80,846 in the year ending June 2022 to 154,063 in June 2023. This surge constitutes nearly 24% of all sponsored study-related visas, prompting the government to take decisive action.
In a bid to evade the impending ban, some individuals are resorting to unconventional measures. One reported case involves a couple engaging in a “contract” marriage, where the husband financially supports his wife’s UK university education in exchange for her sponsorship of his dependent visa for work. Another instance reveals the story of Rinku Sharma from Ahmedabad, who sold his agricultural land to pay an education agent 11,000 pounds for admission to a master’s course and a dependent visa for his wife.
Sahil Bhatia, the head of Om Visa, a visa consultancy based in Punjab, has reported a significant uptick in spouse applications, receiving 30 to 40 applications daily. Notably, universities such as BPP in London, Birmingham, and Bedfordshire are reportedly accepting students during the months of November and December to accommodate the heightened demand.
The international student community contributes an estimated 35 billion pounds annually to the UK economy, with 490,763 students granted visas last year. Apart from tuition fees, which typically range from 10,000 to 26,000 pounds, foreign students and their dependents also contribute through a National Health Service (NHS) surcharge. This surcharge amounts to 400 pounds per year for the student and 600 pounds for a dependent, providing an additional source of financial support for the UK.
In conclusion, the impending ban on dependents’ entry to the UK has triggered a surge in demand among Indian students seeking swift entry to British universities. The urgency is evident in the proactive measures taken by both students and universities to navigate the evolving visa landscape. As the government aims to regulate the influx of family members joining foreign students, the ramifications are being felt across the education sector and visa consultancy services. The resilience of aspiring students, coupled with the economic significance of international students to the UK, underscores the complexity and far-reaching impact of immigration policies on higher education.
