In a disheartening turn of events, the United Kingdom has officially implemented new regulations that deliver unfavorable news for most international students seeking education in the country. The recent changes, set in motion by the government, now prohibit the majority of international students from bringing their families to the UK. This significant policy shift, effective immediately, has stirred debates and opposition within the political landscape.
Under the revised regulations, international students embarking on courses are no longer allowed to bring dependents to the UK, unless they are enrolled in postgraduate research programs or courses supported by government-funded scholarships. The move, initially announced in May, is positioned as an effort to address the perceived misuse of the visa system, with government officials projecting a substantial decrease of approximately 140,000 individuals coming to the UK annually.
We are fully committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration.
From today, new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK.
Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt. pic.twitter.com/QpwEf9BCfj
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) January 1, 2024
The statistics reveal a notable increase in student visas issued, reaching 486,000 in the year ending December 2022, compared to 269,000 in 2019. Of particular concern is the eight-fold surge in the number of student visas granted to dependents, rising from 16,000 in 2019 to 136,000 in the past year.
Home Secretary James Cleverly, welcoming the rule changes, emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing a robust plan aimed at controlling borders and preventing manipulation of the immigration system. The immediate impact of ending the practice of overseas students bringing their families to the UK is seen as a crucial component of the broader government strategy to reduce migration by tens of thousands.
While Labour’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, expresses support for restrictions on dependents for overseas students on shorter courses, criticism is directed at the government’s failure to address skills and labor market issues. This oversight is perceived as undermining growth and exacerbating concerns related to migration.
In early December, the government unveiled a set of measures to lower legal migration, including a significant increase in the family visa threshold from £18,600 to £38,700. However, this key element has faced revisions, with the higher threshold now scheduled for implementation in early 2025. The move has led to accusations of “weakness” against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from his own backbenchers.
Internal opposition is further exacerbated by challenges surrounding the Rwanda scheme, part of the government’s efforts to halt small boats crossing the Channel. The emergency legislation, designed to rescue the scheme after being ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court in November, faced a contentious debate in the Commons in early December. Despite a year-on-year decrease in the number of migrants crossing, internal challenges within the party persist regarding the implementation of the Rwanda scheme.
As these developments unfold, the impact on international students and the broader immigration landscape in the UK remains a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation.
