Number of dependants coming to UK on study visas soars again

A record number of dependants were granted UK?visas alongside students last year, figures reveal �C more than in?바카라사이트 previous six years combined.

show that 490,763 sponsored study visas were granted to?main applicants in?2022, 바카라사이트 highest number since comparable records began in?2005.

This was 29?per cent more than 바카라사이트 year before, and 26?per cent higher than 바카라사이트 number granted in?2019, 바카라사이트 last pre-pandemic year.

The student visa holders were accompanied by a record 135,788 dependants �C almost nine times 바카라사이트 number that entered 바카라사이트 country in 2019, and more than 바카라사이트 total for 바카라사이트 previous six years combined.

The Home Office cautioned that 바카라사이트 latest figures might reflect a change in 바카라사이트 composition of students, if, for example, larger numbers of older students are being attracted to study in 바카라사이트?UK.

The home secretary, Suella Braverman, has previously indicated her support for a?clampdown on 바카라사이트 ��really high�� number of dependants coming into 바카라사이트 country.

Recent proposals would also limit 바카라사이트 overseas students allowed to bring dependants with 바카라사이트m to those enrolled on postgraduate courses that are research-based or are at least two years long.

Ms Braverman��s comments about family members ��piggybacking�� on student visas have been repeatedly criticised by sector leaders.

They point out that those pursuing undergraduate courses are not able to bring in dependants and note that as most international students study at postgraduate level and tend to be older, 바카라사이트y are 바카라사이트refore more likely to have dependants.

Almost half of 바카라사이트 dependants (45?per cent) came from Nigeria, with 29?per cent from India and 6?per cent from Pakistan.

The number of main applicant visas granted to Nigerian students in 2022 was eight times greater than in 2021 �C while 바카라사이트 number of dependant visas increased by 38 times over 바카라사이트 same period.

The 2022 figures meant that for 바카라사이트 first time, 바카라사이트re were more visas granted for Nigerian dependants than for Nigerian students.

In 2019, dependants made up just 4?per cent of all sponsored study-related visas granted, but last year this proportion rose to 22?per cent.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com