UK Implements: Starting this month, international students, including those from India, enrolling in UK universities will encounter stricter visa regulations limiting family member inclusion. The changes notably impact postgraduate research courses and those with government-funded scholarships.
The UK Home Office underscores that these adjustments, aimed at curbing the misuse of student visas for employment, are expected to reduce arrivals in the UK by approximately 140K individuals. The modified regulations specifically target the rising practice of overseas students bringing dependents, deemed unreasonable by Home Secretary.
UK Implements Visa Rules
Under Rishi Sunak’s leadership, the UK government seeks to strike a balance. The changes to student visas aim to uphold the attractiveness of the UK’s higher education sector while curbing immigration exploitation by institutions. The government plans to collaborate with universities to develop an alternative approach for exceptional students to bring dependents.
This being part of a broader migration reduction strategy, the UK government introduces additional measures, including tightened health and care visas, increased salary thresholds, and a review of the post-study work visa. Indian nationals, constituting around 43% of students granted leave to remain, form a significant group in the student visa category.
The Home Office assures a phased introduction throughout early 2024, providing affected individuals ample preparation time for the largest migration reduction ever implemented.
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