UK Student Visa Crackdown Leads to Decline in Dependent Numbers
Following the UK government’s visa crackdown earlier this year, there has been a significant reduction in the number of dependents accompanying overseas students. According to the Home Office, from January to March 2023, dependent applications fell by almost 80% compared to the same period in 2022. The overall number of student visa applications has also decreased by over 26,000.
Under the new rules, which came into effect in January, most international students are no longer allowed to bring family members with them. They are also prohibited from switching to a different visa route before completing their studies, which was previously seen as a way to gain access to the UK job market. The government has justified these changes by claiming that they will reduce the number of dependents who were using student visas as a “backdoor” to work in the UK.
Impact on Indian Students
Indian nationals have consistently made up the largest group of international students in the UK in recent years. However, the decline in study visa applications from India suggests that fewer Indian students are choosing to study in the UK. This trend is expected to continue as the government reviews the post-study Graduate Route, which allows overseas students to work and gain experience for up to two years after completing their studies. Experts predict that the proposed restrictions on the Graduate Route will further deter Indian students from applying to UK universities.
Additional Measures
In addition to the restrictions on dependents, the government has also introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The minimum salary threshold for skilled workers has been raised from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700. The government estimates that these various visa crackdowns will reduce the number of people arriving in the UK by approximately 300,000 per year.
The reduction of legal and illegal migration is a priority for the UK government. These latest measures are part of a broader effort to reduce the number of people coming to the UK to work or study. The government faces an upcoming general election in the second half of the year, and immigration is expected to be a key issue in the campaign.
