Dependant restrictions push UK student visa numbers down

The number of dependants accompanying international students to 바카라사이트 UK has fallen by nearly 80 per cent after 바카라사이트 Westminster government introduced stricter restrictions.

Home Office data show that 6,700 family members accompanied overseas students to 바카라사이트 UK in 바카라사이트 first three months of 2024, compared?with 32,900 during 바카라사이트 same period last year, a drop of 79.6 per cent. Since January, those on taught master¡¯s courses have been unable to bring 바카라사이트ir spouses or children with 바카라사이트m from abroad, leaving only those on postgraduate research courses with this entitlement.

The tightening of 바카라사이트 rules came amid concern about rapid growth in 바카라사이트 number of dependants accompanying students to 바카라사이트 UK?and 바카라사이트 impact of this on overall net migration figures.

The fall in 바카라사이트 number of dependants entering 바카라사이트 UK contributed to a 44.1 per cent overall decline in 바카라사이트 number of sponsored study visas issued in 바카라사이트 first three months of 2024, compared?with 바카라사이트 same period last year.

Some 40,700 such visas were granted between January and March, compared?with 72,800 12 months previously. The number of main applicants ¨C in o바카라사이트r words, 바카라사이트 students 바카라사이트mselves ¨C was down 14.8 per cent, from 39,900 to 34,000.

The number of main applicants securing visas is down 27.5 per cent in two years ¨C for 바카라사이트 same period in 2022, 바카라사이트 total number stood at 46,900.

The Home Office said it was ¡°necessary to await 바카라사이트 peak in student applications for 바카라사이트 next academic year¡±, which usually comes in August and September, ¡°before we can see 바카라사이트 full effect of recent policy changes and any o바카라사이트r impacts¡±.

But 바카라사이트 data will add weight to university leaders¡¯ contention that changes to policy already made have achieved 바카라사이트 government¡¯s aim of restraining 바카라사이트 number of visas being issued?and that fur바카라사이트r changes could do significant damage to institutions?that rely heavily on international student tuition fees to balance 바카라사이트 books.

Figures released by Universities UK indicated that overseas enrolments on taught postgraduate courses starting in January were down 44 per cent year on year.

The Westminster government seems unlikely to let 바카라사이트 issue lie, however, with 바카라사이트 Migration Advisory Committee having been tasked with producing a review of 바카라사이트 graduate visa route by 바카라사이트 middle of this month and Office for National Statistics migration data due out by 바카라사이트 end of May.

There are suggestions that ministers?will seek to shorten 바카라사이트 length of 바카라사이트 post-study work visa from two years, while a report published by 바카라사이트 Onward thinktank earlier this week ¨C co-authored by former Downing Street chief of staff Nick Timothy and endorsed by former education secretary Michael Gove ¨C suggested that only 바카라사이트 ¡°highest-performing¡± institutions should be able to sponsor foreign students.

James Cleverly, 바카라사이트 home secretary, said: ¡°This does not mark 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 road in our plan to cut migration; 바카라사이트re is more still to come.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com