Net migration is expected to be axed by the new restrictions the government plans to implement on student visa routes. However, the economic benefits students offer to the UK will be protected.
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That’s right; newly announced restrictions to student visa routes will significantly affect net migration since overseas students would no longer be able to bring their family members to the UK. This is being implemented across all student visa routes except for post-graduate research routes. Plus, people would be banned from using a student visa to enter the UK for work.
According to ONS estimations, net migration reached over 500,000 between June 2021 and June 2022. While this increment is attributed to various factors, including the UK’s Hong Kong and Ukraine schemes, its primary cause is the number of student visas being issued. Did you know nearly half a million student visas were granted? Consequently, the number of dependants of international students increased by 750% since 2019.
The government also seems committed to the International Education Strategy, which proves exceedingly helpful in supporting the economy via the economic contribution students can offer to the UK.
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These reforms are expected to become effective for overseas students in the next year’s January. Don’t forget the government hopes to collaborate with the higher education sector to see if there are options to allow the best students to bring their dependants to the UK as they continue to seek education at the UK’s top universities.
Moreover, international students would be stopped from shifting to work routes from the student visa route before their education is finished. This measure would help reduce the misuse of the visa system.
The government will be reviewing the finances students must show to confirm they can take care of themselves and their dependants in the UK. A crackdown on overseas students indulging in inappropriate activities is also expected to take place soon.
Of course, the government regularly reviews its immigration policies to ensure they deliver on the promises made to the public concerning the issue of net migration.
We hope you found this information helpful. Follow our blogs for the latest updates and informative content on UK immigration.
