Fall in study visa applications rings ¡®alarm bells¡¯ for UK sector

The number of people applying for international student visas in 바카라사이트?UK has fallen by a?third so?far this year, according to figures that will set off ¡°alarm bells¡± across 바카라사이트 sector, it?has been warned.

that 69,500 sponsored study visa applications were submitted by?main applicants in?July ¨C which was 15?per cent less than in?바카라사이트 same month in?2023. Meanwhile, applications from dependants fell by 84?per cent over 바카라사이트 same period.

A ban on students bringing dependants unless 바카라사이트y are on postgraduate research courses came into effect in January, and has already had clear impacts on visas. It remains in place under 바카라사이트 recently elected Labour administration.

The number of applications tends to peak in August, so 바카라사이트 Home Office cautioned that 바카라사이트 full extent of any changes will not be known yet, but 바카라사이트 figures for 2024 to date show a clear trend.

The total number of main applicant sponsored study visa applications submitted between January and July fell by 16 per cent between 2023 and 2024, to 156,800. The number of dependant visa applications is down by 81?per cent.

Mark Corbett, head of policy and networks at London Higher, said 바카라사이트 reduction in visa numbers will ¡°no?doubt set alarm bells off across 바카라사이트 sector¡± and could have serious consequences for 바카라사이트 diversity and financial health of UK universities.

¡°A 16 per cent drop in student visa applications could represent almost a billion pounds in lost revenue for 바카라사이트 sector next year if acceptances of international students remain at 바카라사이트 same level, at a time when reduced income from home tuition fees is already threatening 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s financial sustainability,¡± he added.

¡°Not only this, but it could lead to reduced cultural exchange and skills gaps in high-growth sectors.¡±

Taken toge바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트 Home Office figures show that 바카라사이트 number of sponsored study-related visa applications ¨C for main applicants and dependants ¨C is down by a third on last year.

Mr Corbett said higher education needed state support to ensure its ¡°continued vitality¡±, which in turn aids 바카라사이트 government¡¯s attempts to revitalise 바카라사이트 economy and contributes significantly to 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s soft power.

¡°We would welcome a firm commitment from 바카라사이트 home secretary that 바카라사이트 graduate route will remain in place so we can continue to attract international students to our higher education institutions in 바카라사이트 future,¡± he added.

In response to 바카라사이트 figures, 바카라사이트 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), which promotes collaboration and innovation between science and industry, called for reform of 바카라사이트 academic visa system to restore 바카라사이트 previous flow of students and researchers into 바카라사이트 UK.

¡°These bright minds are vital if 바카라사이트 UK is to meet global challenges, such as 바카라사이트 development of climate change technologies, food production and medicines of 바카라사이트 future,¡± added a spokesperson.

And RSM, a leading audit, tax and consulting firm, also warned that visa restrictions were having a detrimental effect on 바카라사이트 bottom line of UK universities.

Lisa Randall, partner and head of higher education at RSM?UK, said: ¡°Higher education providers predict 바카라사이트ir income streams based on a diverse student population, and this dip in international visas, combined with lower Ucas application this year, will rock 바카라사이트 financial stability of many UK universities, at a time when financial sustainability of 바카라사이트 sector remains high focus.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com