The UK government has introduced tougher restrictions to curb immigration numbers. Under the new immigration restrictions announced by the ministers on May 24, 2023, International students enrolled in non-research postgraduate programs will not be allowed to bring their family members. These restrictions came after the new migration figures were released, reaching a record-high number of 700,000 migrants in the country. This move has been taken in a bid to reduce the immigration numbers. However, students who come to study in the UK under research programs will still be allowed to bring their family members with them.
According to new figures, net migration to Britain reached a record high of 606,000 last year. The number of migrants has significantly increased in the previous years because of the series of world events leading to an influx of migrants from conflict-ridden areas. Also, the introduction of study visa requirements for European Economic Area (EEA) students and the rule change in 2019 that allowed international students to stay in the UK for two years after graduation to seek employment have played a key role in the overall net migration increase. Last year, 135,788 dependent visas were issued. The number is nine times higher than the number in 2019.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said,
The immigration figure was ‘too high’ without suggesting a fair number. The UK government is exploring various options to mitigate migration numbers. The Government believes that reducing immigration numbers will help ease pressure on public services and housing. However, critics argue that this move will affect thousands of overseas students who want to study in the UK. It could harm higher education institutions’ reputations and impact their ability to attract talented students worldwide.
He told the ministers that these restrictions would take effect in January 2024 and would have a significant impact on reducing the migration numbers.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman also emphasized the need to tighten the rules to decrease the uncontrolled rise in dependents while protecting the economic benefits that students bring to the UK. The high number of migrants in the UK has started a discussion among different divisions of the Government suggesting strict measures. Some even considered banning dependents of all postgraduate students, but owing to their contribution to the economy during their stay in the UK outweighed their potential negative impacts on the economy.
Home Secretary also disclosed a package of new restrictions on international students aiming to reach the ‘sustainable levels of migration’.
According to her plans:
- International students cannot switch from student route into work routes to stay in the UK before completing their studies.
- Efforts will be made to contain the ‘corrupt education agents supporting inappropriate applications to sell immigration, not education’.
It has been reported that the home secretary wanted to cut their stay in the UK from 2 years to 6 months after completing their course, but the Government did not approve this restriction, so the two-year stay is still intact.