India
Setback for Indians as Britain bans foreign students from bringing families into UK | India News
[ad_1]
The UK government, led by British home secretary James Cleverly, has implemented new visa restrictions that effectively prohibit most international students from bringing their family members to the UK. This change, which took effect on Monday, applies to all foreign students except those enrolled in postgraduate research courses or government-funded scholarship programs.
The new law is expected to impact a significant number of Indian students, who constitute the largest group of international students in the UK. Indian nationals form the majority in the student visa category, accounting for 43 percent of those granted permission to stay under this route.
Cleverly described the previous allowance for overseas students to bring their families as an “unreasonable practice.” He said that this new policy is expected to significantly reduce migration numbers by tens of thousands. The measures, initially announced in May by his predecessor Suella Braverman, come in the wake of net migration figures reaching 672,000.
Starting Monday, international students commencing their studies in Britain are no longer eligible to obtain visas for their dependants, unless they are pursuing postgraduate research or are on a government-sponsored course.
Experts caution that the new limitations on dependents accompanying international students to the UK might impact universities financially, as they depend on the revenue from fees paid by these students. Additionally, this could negatively affect the UK’s standing as a global education destination.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the change on Twitter: “From today, the majority of foreign university students cannot bring family members to the UK.” He added that this move demonstrates the government’s commitment to “delivering for the British people” in 2024.
Cleverly further commented, “This government is delivering on its commitment to the British public to cut migration. We have set out a tough plan to rapidly bring numbers down, control our borders and prevent people from manipulating our immigration system, which will come into force throughout this year.”
Immigration minister Tom Pursglove echoed these sentiments, noting the surge in dependents brought by students contributing to unsustainable migration levels.
The policy has been criticized for potentially separating families and causing uncertainty about their future. However, the Home Office defends the new package as a “tough but fair” approach, balancing the attraction of top international talent with the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
Labour Party shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper supports the restrictions but argues they are insufficient to address broader issues in the UK labor market and economy. She stated, “Labour supports these restrictions on dependants for overseas students on shorter courses. However, this is nothing more than a sticking plaster.”
In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependents of students, highlighting the potential scale of impact of this new policy.
(With inputs from agencies)
The new law is expected to impact a significant number of Indian students, who constitute the largest group of international students in the UK. Indian nationals form the majority in the student visa category, accounting for 43 percent of those granted permission to stay under this route.
Cleverly described the previous allowance for overseas students to bring their families as an “unreasonable practice.” He said that this new policy is expected to significantly reduce migration numbers by tens of thousands. The measures, initially announced in May by his predecessor Suella Braverman, come in the wake of net migration figures reaching 672,000.
Starting Monday, international students commencing their studies in Britain are no longer eligible to obtain visas for their dependants, unless they are pursuing postgraduate research or are on a government-sponsored course.
Experts caution that the new limitations on dependents accompanying international students to the UK might impact universities financially, as they depend on the revenue from fees paid by these students. Additionally, this could negatively affect the UK’s standing as a global education destination.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the change on Twitter: “From today, the majority of foreign university students cannot bring family members to the UK.” He added that this move demonstrates the government’s commitment to “delivering for the British people” in 2024.
Cleverly further commented, “This government is delivering on its commitment to the British public to cut migration. We have set out a tough plan to rapidly bring numbers down, control our borders and prevent people from manipulating our immigration system, which will come into force throughout this year.”
Immigration minister Tom Pursglove echoed these sentiments, noting the surge in dependents brought by students contributing to unsustainable migration levels.
The policy has been criticized for potentially separating families and causing uncertainty about their future. However, the Home Office defends the new package as a “tough but fair” approach, balancing the attraction of top international talent with the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
Labour Party shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper supports the restrictions but argues they are insufficient to address broader issues in the UK labor market and economy. She stated, “Labour supports these restrictions on dependants for overseas students on shorter courses. However, this is nothing more than a sticking plaster.”
In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependents of students, highlighting the potential scale of impact of this new policy.
(With inputs from agencies)
#Setback #Indians #Britain #bans #foreign #students #bringing #families #India #News
