The UK's international education sector will undergo significant changes in the coming year. The Home Office officially revealed the long-awaited UK student dependent visa new rules on May 23rd, 2023, through a concise press release. Students starting courses in January 2024 will be subject to these new regulations.
UK student dependent visa new rules
The new rules will bring about a wave of transformation and possibilities. According to reports, the net migration has exceeded 500,000 between June 2021 and June 2022. Besides, the number of dependants of international students has risen by 750% since 2019. You should be aware of the new rules if you plan to apply to any university in the UK. Let's try to understand the changes to the student visa route from 2024.
The new student visa rules will ensure a fair and transparent process while preventing misuse of student visas. One significant change is the restriction on bringing family members for most international students. The rules do not apply to postgraduate research students. Its purpose is to discourage student visa misuse as a means of working in the UK. So that students can focus on academic pursuits.
Students must wait to switch from the student visa route to the work visa route. This measure aims to maintain the integrity of the visa system and prevent unauthorized employment. Besides, the government will thoroughly review the financial requirements for students and their dependents. Furthermore, during their stay in the UK, students will need sufficient funds to support themselves and their families.
In order to promote fairness and integrity, the Home Office will crack down on unscrupulous international student agents. This step will help maintain the credibility and legitimacy of the student visa process.
About the UK student dependent visa new rules, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "The UK is a top destination for the brightest students to learn at some of the world's best universities. But we have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of student dependents being brought into the country with visas. It is time for us to tighten up this route to ensure we can cut migration numbers and meet the government's pledge to the British people to cut net migration. This is the fair thing to do to allow us to better protect our public services while supporting the economy by allowing the students who contribute the most to keep coming here."
Are there any exceptions you can expect from the new rules?
According to the press release, the Govt. will work with the higher education section to find alternative options. So that talented and bright student can bring their dependents while studying universities in the UK.
In addition, the Home Office emphasized that these changes support the UK economy. It will also help to maintain the world-leading educational institutions, in addition to reducing net migration. If you are planning to apply to any university in the UK, stay up to date on UK immigration news for international students.
How do the new rules affect Graduate Route applications in the UK?
If your dependents have permission as student dependents before you apply for the Graduate route, they can apply as graduate dependents. Due to these changes, dependents cannot apply as graduate dependents and join you in the UK. In order to stay as graduate dependents, dependents must already be in the UK as student dependents.
Final Words
Because of the growing number of net UK immigration, the government wants to decrease the numbers. Although the Home Office announced its intention last year, the official press release has just been published. The new changes to the student visa route from 2024 in the UK rules support the government's International Education Strategy. By 2030, the UK aims to host 600,000 international students each year.
