The United Kingdom Bans People From Using A Student Visa As A Backdoor Route To Work In The UK And More....

The United Kingdom has slammed restrictions on student visa routes in a bid to cut net migration, a statement announced.

                       Image Credit: The Guardian UK

The United Kingdom is setting restrictions to curb net migration.

The policy restricts foreign students from bringing family members on all but postgraduate research routes.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Home Office said the development was necessary to stop people from using the student visa as a backdoor route to work in the UK.

"Last year almost half a million student visas were issued while the number of dependants of overseas students has increased by 750% since 2019, to 136,000 people,” the Home Office said.

"The new reforms will come into effect for students starting in January next year. The government will however work with the higher education sector to explore alternative options to ensure the brightest and best students can continue to bring dependents when they study at the UK’s world-leading universities.”

The UK said overseas students will be stopped from switching from the student visa route to a work visa until their studies have been completed. However, noting that net migration was over 500,000 from June 2021 to June 2022.

The UK government said it will also review the required funds students must have to demonstrate they can look after themselves and their dependents.

It reaffirmed its commitment to the International Education Strategy which supports the economy through the contribution students can bring to the UK.

The government has also made clear that the terms of the graduate route remain unchanged, announcing the new reforms affecting students starting from January 2023.

The UK promised to work with the higher education sector to explore alternative options to ensure the brightest and best students can continue to bring dependents.

Furthermore, to prevent misuse of the visa system, students will be stopped from switching from the student visa route to work routes until their studies have been completed.