Student Visa Crackdown
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London introduces new immigration rules for foreign students taking effect in January 2024
Nigerian vlogger tells BBC that Nigerian students are seeking for a better life not qualifications to better their country
The UK Government has introduced new immigration rules affecting mostly foreign students in a move to reduce net migration. The Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced Tuesday.
The new rules coming into effect from January 2024 will bar foreign students from bringing dependents with them when they are on student visas.
The regime also restricts foreign students while on student visas to switch to a work visa. UK Border Force said student visas are a backdoor route to work visas.
Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimated net migration was over 500,000 from June 2021 to June 2022 partly due to the Ukraine situation and British overseas citizens from the former crown colony of Hong Kong.
Half a million student visas were issued while the number of dependants of overseas students have increased by 750% since 2019, to 136,000 people. The ONS stated.
Those pursuing research degrees are exempted from the rule however according to His Majesty Government (HMG) higher education bodies will continue to seek for the “best and brightest.” while it aims to lower net migration.
HMG will also review the funds students must have before they are given visas and clamp down on unscrupulous international student agents.
“It is time for us to tighten up this route to ensure we can cut migration numbers and meet the government’s pledge to the British people to cut net migration.” Braverman stated.
The Conservatives said this policy was to protect an overburdened public service and supporting the economy.
“This is the fair thing to do to allow us to better protect our public services, while supporting the economy by allowing the students who contribute the most to keep coming here.” The Home Secretary stressed. Â
Amidst a heated debate swirling round immigration, a Nigeria vlogger based in the UK, Emdee Tiamiyu who advises Nigerians on student visas on Youtube told a BBC journalist that Nigerians were not after new qualifications but to seek a better life.
Akowe with reports from Lagos
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