The UK government is set to introduce new immigration restrictions for international students from January 2024. One of the major changes is that international students will no longer be allowed to bring dependents with them, unless they are in postgraduate programs with a research focus. This move is aimed at curbing net migration and will have significant implications for international students. Let’s take a closer look at what this means for them.
New Immigration Restrictions for International Students
In 2022, according to the Home Office, “almost half a million student visas were issued while the number of dependents of overseas students has increased by 750% since 2019, to 136,000 people.” which is a high number.
However, International students in postgraduate research courses will still be allowed to bring dependents, but those in postgraduate courses that are not designated as research-oriented won’t be permitted to do so. Furthermore, students won’t be allowed to switch to the Skilled Worker Route until they complete their program, and new strategies are being developed to deter “unscrupulous” agents from sending students.
It’s worth noting that the Graduate Route won’t be affected by the new immigration restrictions. Eligible students will still be allowed 2-3 years to remain in the UK, and the government remains committed to the UK’s International Education Strategy. However, there are implications for international students, and the new policy is the “single biggest tightening measure a government has ever done.”
Rationale Behind the New Policy
UK’s Bid to Tighten Migration and the Effect on International Students The UK government’s announcement to prevent international students from bringing dependents with them beginning January 2024, is a part of its bid to tighten migration. The total net migration in the period June 2021-June 2022 was over 500,000, the highest ever, highlighting the need to control the profile of migrants entering the country.
However, this new policy will cause difficulty for international students, especially those from countries such as India and Nigeria, and female students who are more likely to bring dependents. There will be a significant financial impact on UK universities too, given that postgraduate international students are incredibly important to their revenue. Moreover, other countries, particularly those in major global economies, will benefit from welcoming the talented and ambitious individuals that the UK has effectively turned away.
At the same time, the government has pledged its commitment to the UK’s International Education Strategy and aims to design alternative solutions. Additionally, it is planning to develop strategies to control unscrupulous agents from sending students, making it a fair move to not only protect public services but also support the economy and contribute to the UK’s education sector.
Future Impact of the New Policy
- Graduate Route Unaffected:
The good news for international students is that the new immigration restrictions will not affect the Graduate Route. Eligible students will still be allowed 2-3 years to remain in the UK under this route. This is a sigh of relief for many students who were worried about the implications of the new policy on their post-study plans.
- Difficulty for International Students Proven:
The new policy is expected to make life more difficult for international students, especially those who have dependents. Research-based postgraduate students are the only ones who will be allowed to bring dependents to the UK. For others, the idea of leaving their families behind will be a tough sell. This is particularly so, since the decision to study abroad is one that already requires a significant amount of sacrifice.
- Gender Influence on the Policy:
The new policy could have a disproportionate effect on female students. Women are more likely to bring dependents with them when they study abroad. This is because they often face additional pressures and responsibilities that make it difficult to leave children, elderly parents, or spouses behind. This could mean that female students are less likely to study in the UK, leading to a gender gap in international enrollments.
- Financial Impact on UK Universities:
The new policy is also likely to have significant financial implications for UK universities. Postgraduate international students, including one-year master’s students, are incredibly important to the revenue of UK universities. This will mean a significant reduction in annual intake, especially for universities in London. Non-EU students are particularly well-represented at the postgraduate level, and they make up the majority of the full-time postgraduate student population across UK universities. This could mean a shortfall in revenue for many universities, which would have far-reaching consequences.
In summary, the impact of the new policy is likely to be significant. While the Graduate Route remains unaffected, the new restrictions on dependents will make it more difficult for international students to study in the UK. Female students, in particular, will face additional challenges, and UK universities will lose out on a significant source of revenue.
Uncertainty over the Policy
The UK government has expressed its intentions to work with universities to design an alternative approach that allows the best and the brightest students to bring dependents to world-leading universities, while still reducing net migration. However, there is still uncertainty over what level of flexibility the government will allow in deciding which students can bring dependents. The final policy regarding the alternatives to the ban on dependents is yet to be established, and consultations with stakeholders will continue over the coming year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UK government’s decision to prevent international students from bringing dependents unless they are in postgraduate research programs has significant implications for both students and universities. The move is intended to help curb net migration and control unscrupulous agents from sending students. The government remains committed to the UK’s International Education Strategy, but this latest policy will undoubtedly have a tangible impact on net migration in the country. However, this latest policy will have an impact on the international education sector in the coming year, and it is important for universities and students to prepare accordingly.
News Courtesy: ICEF MONITOR
