As of January 1, 2024, international students are no longer able to bring their family members to the UK, the government has decided.
This measure, which aims to reduce migration and prevent misuse of the immigration system, will affect most international students, with exceptions only for those enrolled in postgraduate research courses or courses with government-funded scholarships, VisaGuide.World reports.
The move was initially proposed in May, and it is part of the government plan to reduce the number of migrants coming to the UK, as it is estimated that around 140,000 fewer individuals will come to the UK as a result of these changes.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a net migration of 672,000 from June 2022 to June 2023. Until September 2023, there was a significant rise in visas issued to students’ dependents, which rose by more than 930 per cent compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 152,980.
This government is delivering on its commitment to the British public to cut migration. We have set out a tough plan to rapidly bring numbers down, control our borders and prevent people from manipulating our immigration system, which will come into force throughout this year.
The recent changes made to student visa rules, specifically targeting the practice of international students bringing their family members to the UK, also had an impact. The government forecasts a rapid decline in migration by tens of thousands, contributing to the broader strategy to prevent around 300,000 people from entering the UK.
Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, stressed the importance of decisive cuts in migration, particularly related to a surge in the number of dependents being brought by students.
We are completely committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration. The action implemented yesterday to restrict bringing dependants on the student visa route allows us to better protect our public services while supporting the economy by allowing the students who contribute the most to keep coming here.
The government’s measures extend beyond student visas, as they try to legal migration down to sustainable levels. Efforts include ending the abuse of health and care visas, increasing salary thresholds for skilled workers, and regulating care firms sponsoring visas.
More specifically, salary thresholds for the skilled worker route will rise by nearly 50 per cent to €44,816, and the government will eliminate the 20 per cent salary discount for shortage occupations.
In addition to these changes, the minimum income requirement for British or settled individuals sponsoring family members will increase to €44,816 by Spring 2025. The Migration Advisory Committee will also review the graduate route to ensure its integrity and maintain the quality of the UK’s higher education system.