The UK government has expressed satisfaction over a marked decline in the number of dependents accompanying overseas students, following its recent enforcement of stricter regulations on student visas. According to an update provided by the Home Office for the period spanning January to March this year, in comparison to the same timeframe in 2023, there has been a substantial reduction of nearly 80 percent in dependents, coinciding with a decrease of over 26,000 in student visa applications.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took to social media to commend these developments, interpreting the statistics as a validation of the efficacy of the alterations made to the country’s visa system. He emphasized the notable drop in the presence of student dependents, attributing it to the changes implemented.

The new rules, implemented in January, have restricted the ability of most international students to bring their family members and have prohibited them from switching visas before completing their courses. These measures were introduced to address concerns regarding the misuse of student visas as a means to gain unauthorized employment, as part of a broader effort by the Home Office to clamp down on institutions purportedly prioritizing immigration over education.

The data released by UK Home Secretary James Cleverly serves to underscore the impact of these visa reforms, aimed at restoring public confidence in the immigration system, alleviating strain on public services, and safeguarding wages. Moreover, ongoing scrutiny of the post-study Graduate Route is anticipated to further constrain the options available to international students in the UK, potentially leading to a decline in the number of Indian students opting for UK universities.

Additional measures, including restrictions on care workers bringing dependents and an increase in salary thresholds for skilled workers, are integral components of the government’s broader strategy to curtail migration. These endeavors align with the Sunak-led administration’s priorities ahead of the forthcoming general election, as they seek to enforce deportation schemes for illegal migrants and introduce incentives for voluntary relocation.

Source: PTI

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