Study in the UK | 4 min Read

Decoding the Latest Updates:
Find out Changes to the UK Student Visa Route

– UK Student Visa Consultant in India

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Changes to the UK Student Visa Route

In this article we have covered these important points:

Introduction

The UK government has recently implemented changes to the UK Student Visa route, aiming to reduce net migration and address concerns surrounding the increasing number of international students bringing their families to the UK. These changes aim to create a more sustainable UK immigration system and ensure that student visas are primarily utilized for educational purposes.

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Over the past year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated net migration to be over 500,000 from June 2021 to June 2022. While temporary factors such as the UK’s schemes for Ukraine and Hong Kong contributed to this rise, the issuance of nearly half a million student visas and a 750% increase in dependants of overseas students since 2019, totalling 136,000 people, have also played a significant role.

Changes to the UK Student Visa Route

  • Family sponsorships will be restricted to postgraduate students enrolled in courses that are longer than a year. Previously, students enrolled in courses that were longer than 9 months could bring their spouse, civil partner, or children under the age of 18 to the UK. However, the revised policy now limits family sponsorships only to postgraduate students enrolled in courses that are longer than a year.
  • To prevent the misuse of the visa system, international students will no longer be able to switch from the student visa route to work routes until they have completed their studies. This measure aims to maintain the integrity of the immigration system and discourage individuals from using student visas as a backdoor route to work in the UK.

The changes will affect new UK student visa applications. The changes will not affect students who have already been granted a student visa or who are currently in the UK on a student visa.

Reducing Net Migration

The UK government has been actively working to reduce net migration in recent years. The changes to the UK student visa route are part of a broader strategy to achieve this goal. By implementing stricter regulations and limiting family sponsorships, the government aims to create a more selective UK immigration system, attracting highly skilled individuals and students who genuinely intend to contribute to the UK’s economy and society.

The Future of International Education Strategy

These new reforms will take effect from January of next year. The government will collaborate closely with the higher education sector to explore alternative options that will allow the brightest and best students to continue bringing their dependants when studying at prestigious UK universities.

Conclusion

The changes to the UK student visa route reflect the UK government’s commitment to reducing net migration and ensuring that student visas are primarily utilized for educational purposes. By limiting family sponsorships for international students, the government aims to strike a balance between welcoming students and managing public services effectively.

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The post New UK Student Visa Rules 2023: Reduced Net Migration and Restricted Family Sponsorships appeared first on The SmartMove2UK.