UK Government Implements New Rule Restricting International Students From Bringing Families

Important news for international students planning to study in UK, the United Kingdom government has introduced a new regulation affecting new international students. Starting from January 2024, international students enrolling in educational institutions across the UK will no longer be permitted to bring their families along, except for those enrolled in postgraduate courses designated as research programs. Additionally, the government has announced the removal of the option for international students to switch from the student route to work routes before completing their studies, citing concerns about the potential misuse of the visa system.

The Objectives Of UK Government New Rule

• The government's primary objective behind these changes is to

• Streamline migration figures, addressing concerns about overcrowding and the strain on public services caused by an influx of immigrants

• In a move aimed at decreasing migration figures, the UK government also stated that there would also be a review of international students and their family's maintenance requirements

• Government would crack down on the immoral travel agents who use fake applications to sell immigration, not education

• Furthermore, this policy asserts that these measures align with the government's efforts to balance the education sector's needs with broader immigration concerns

• The government aims to manage population growth and alleviate pressures on housing, healthcare, and welfare services by narrowing the scope for bringing dependents and limiting early transitions to work routes

Work Route Restriction In UK For International Students

According to the new policy, international students won’t be able to switch from the student route to the work route before their graduation. Officials also argue that restricting the ability of international students to bring dependents and preventing early switches to work routes will help prioritize the educational experience of international students. By limiting distractions and potential misuse of the visa system, the government aims to ensure that students can entirely focus on their studies and contribute to the research programs they are enrolled in.

Rules Will Be Implemented From

The implementation of these rules marks a significant withdrawal from the previous policy, which allowed international students to be accompanied by their family members during their studies in the UK. According to the UK government, the new policies do not affect students who are already studying in the UK or those who have already secured admission and made arrangements for their families to join them before the implementation date. The rules will only apply to new student visa applicants from January 2024 onwards, except for those enrolled in postgraduate research programs.

UK Immigration Stats

Education Secretary of UK Gillian Keegan emphasized the importance of attracting exceptional students, for the benefit of universities, the economy and the development of crucial global relationships. However, there has been a significant increase in family members accompanying students to the UK. In response, measures are being taken to reduce the migration figure while maintaining a commitment to the international education strategy. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), net migration exceeded 500,000 from June 2021 to June 2022. While this increase can be partially attributed to temporary factors such as the UK's schemes for Ukraine and Hong Kong, the issuance of student visas reached nearly half a million last year. Additionally, overseas students' dependents have risen by 750% since 2019, totaling 136,000 individuals.