In a significant announcement, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared on Monday that the majority of foreign university students in the UK would no longer have the option to bring their family members with them. This move is part of the government’s commitment to implementing decisive measures to cut migration, with exemptions only for postgraduate research or government-funded scholarship students.
PM Sunak’s First 2024 Announcement Focuses on Immigration Reform
Rishi Sunak shared this update through a post from the Home Office, highlighting the government’s commitment to delivering changes in 2024. The Home Office, echoing the Prime Minister’s stance, emphasized its dedication to achieving a significant reduction in migration, with a specific focus on foreign students.
Impact of July 2023 Immigration Rule Changes
This development aligns with changes made to the Immigration Rules by the Sunak government in July 2023, affecting international students studying in the UK. Effective from January 2024, the new rules state that international students will no longer have the option to bring dependents on their Student visa unless they are enrolled in a postgraduate research program. Furthermore, starting from July 17, international students are no longer permitted to switch to work route visas unless they have completed their course.
Government’s Stance on Immigration Control
Rishi Sunak’s emphasis on reducing immigration reflects the government’s stance that immigration levels are too high. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that immigration aligns with the interests of the UK. The Prime Minister highlighted specific measures, including the ban on overseas students bringing their families unless pursuing postgraduate research degrees, as part of the strategy to safeguard British workers.
