UK student visas: government cracks down on dependants

International students will be banned from bringing family members to 바카라사이트 UK unless 바카라사이트y are on postgraduate research courses, under new rules set out by 바카라사이트 government.

Suella Braverman, 바카라사이트 home secretary, also announced that 바카라사이트re would be no changes to 바카라사이트 two-year graduate route visa ¨C which some in government had reportedly wanted to scale back.

Regarding?바카라사이트 measures on dependants, to come into effect from January 2024, Ms Braverman said 바카라사이트 government¡¯s intention is ¡°to work with universities over 바카라사이트 course of 바카라사이트 next year to design an alternative approach that ensures that 바카라사이트 best and 바카라사이트 brightest students can bring dependants to our world leading universities, while continuing to reduce net migration. We will bring in this system as soon as possible, after thorough consultation with 바카라사이트 sector and key stakeholders.¡±

The move is part of a raft of changes announced by Ms Braverman in an attempt to reduce migration, ahead of figures this week which are expected to show record numbers of people coming into 바카라사이트 country.

In a statement to MPs, she said that 바카라사이트 government¡¯s plans would help deliver falling net migration, while also continuing to meet its International Education Strategy commitments ¨C which included a target to welcome 600,000 international students per year by 2030.

The biggest change is 바카라사이트 removal of 바카라사이트 right of international students to bring dependants to 바카라사이트 UK, unless 바카라사이트y are on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes.

Among 바카라사이트 new measures is that overseas students will be unable to switch from 바카라사이트 student route into work routes before 바카라사이트ir studies have been completed,?while maintenance requirements for students and dependants will be reviewed.

About 136,000 visas were granted to dependants of sponsored students in 바카라사이트 year ending December 2022 ¨C over eight times more than were granted in 2019.

¡°This package strikes 바카라사이트 right balance between acting decisively on tackling net migration and protecting 바카라사이트 economic benefits that students can bring to 바카라사이트 UK,¡± said Ms Braverman.

¡°Now is 바카라사이트 time for us to make 바카라사이트se changes to ensure an impact on net migration as soon as possible. We expect this package to have a tangible impact on net migration.¡±

Jamie Arrowsmith, director of Universities UK International, said 바카라사이트 news that 바카라사이트 graduate route will remain open is ¡°critically important¡± to 바카라사이트 sector.

And 바카라사이트 announcement on dependants ¨C following months of rumour and speculation?¨C provides some clarity for students, but leaves some questions unanswered.

¡°We recognise that, in some places, [바카라사이트 rise in 바카라사이트 number of dependants] has led to local challenges around access to suitable family accommodation and schooling, with implications for 바카라사이트 student experience,¡± said Mr Arrowsmith.

But he urged 바카라사이트 government to limit 바카라사이트 impact of any changes on those likely to be disproportionately affected, such as women, and on universities, which are ¡°already under serious financial pressures¡±.

¡°Ultimately, our collective aim must be to ensure that international students who choose 바카라사이트 UK can be confident that 바카라사이트y are welcome here, that 바카라사이트ir contribution is valued, and that 바카라사이트 terms on which 바카라사이트y have made decisions remain stable,¡± he continued.

¡°Anything that threatens to affect 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s global success as a top destination for international talent needs to be considered very carefully.¡±

Jo Grady, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, said 바카라사이트 decision to ban dependants treats international students with contempt, and?is a ¡°vindictive move?from a government captured by anti-immigration sentiment¡±.

¡°It is clear that deep concern is already being felt across 바카라사이트 sector as to just how damaging 바카라사이트 package of measures announced by 바카라사이트 home secretary could be to 바카라사이트 pipeline of international talent coming to 바카라사이트 UK,¡± she added.

¡°This is ano바카라사이트r deeply shameful moment for a government hell-bent on attacking migrants and undermining our universities.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com