The UK government is reportedly planning to ban international students from bringing their spouses or children to the country unless they are enrolled in certain ‘high-value’ degree programs such as science, mathematics, and engineering.
According to The Times (UK), Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman have become increasingly concerned over a nearly eightfold surge in the number of family members joining foreign students.
Currently, dependants are allowed to accompany those with valid student visas.
In 2022, Nigerian nationals accounted for the highest increase in sponsored study grants compared to 2019 – a staggering 686% rise from 65,929 to 57,545 – making them the third-largest nationality group in the latest year.
The new regulations would also see potential applicants needing to undertake master’s degrees or PhDs before they were granted permission for family members to join them in the UK.
However, universities and MPs alike expressed outrage towards these proposals pointing out research that suggests foreign students contribute £35 billion annually to Britain’s economy.
This follows Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s push for stricter immigration policies including reforming graduate visa routes which would lead foreign students to have to obtain a work visa after six months of completing their studies or face departing from the country.
This article was updated 3 months ago
