The newly elected Labour government has announced that it will maintain the UK spouse visa restrictions imposed by the previous Conservative administration. These restrictions, which prevent international students on Master’s degrees from bringing their families to the UK, have sparked concern among educational institutions.
Topics DiscussedÂ
- Continued Spouse Visa Restrictions
- Impact on International Students and Applications
- Update on Graduate Route Visa Under Labour
- Criticism from Educational Institutions
Continued Spouse Visa Restrictions
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed that Labour will uphold the spouse visa restrictions, preventing international students from bringing dependents to the UK during their studies. Despite criticism, this policy remains in place, reflecting Labour’s cautious approach to immigration.
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Impact on International Students and Applications
The ban on visa dependents has already led to a significant drop in international student applications. Home Office data reveals a 16% decline in study visa applications from January to July 2024 compared to the previous year, and an 81% reduction in international student applications.
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Update on Graduate Route Visa Under Labour
While maintaining the spouse visa restrictions, Labour intends to keep the Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to live and work in the UK for two years post-graduation. This decision comes after a survey showed no evidence of misuse of the Graduate Route by international students.
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Criticism from Educational Institutions
UK universities, particularly business schools, have voiced strong criticism of the spouse visa restrictions, arguing that they deter prospective international students. Institutions like London Business School have called for exemptions to the rule, emphasizing its negative impact on the UK’s competitiveness in global education.
Despite these concerns, Labour has not indicated any plans to alter the spouse visa restrictions. However, the government has expressed intentions to reform the overall education system, leaving the door open for potential future changes.
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