UK stopped Dependent Visa

the UK government has announced that from January 2024, international students studying in the UK will no longer be able to bring dependants with them on their student visa, aside from those on research postgraduate programmes.

This means that spouses, partners, and children will no longer be able to join students in the UK on a dependent visa. The only exception will be for students on research postgraduate programs who will still be able to bring dependants.

The government has said that the change is necessary to "reduce net migration" to the UK. However, critics have argued that it will make it more difficult for international students to study in the UK and will discourage them from bringing their families with them.

The change will apply to all new student visas issued from January 2024. Students who already have a student visa will be able to bring their dependents with them until their visa expires.

Here are some of the reasons why the UK government has stopped Dependent Visa:

• To reduce net migration:  The UK government has a target of reducing net migration to the UK to below 100,000 per year. The government believes that by stopping dependent visas, it will be able to achieve this target.
• To protect public services:  The government believes that the cost of providing public services to dependants of international students is too high. The government estimates that the cost of providing public services to dependants of international students is around £2 billion per year.
• To make it fairer for British students:  The government believes that it is unfair that British students have to compete with international students for places at universities, while international students are able to bring their dependants with them. The government believes that by stopping dependent visas, it will level the playing field for British students.

The decision to stop dependent visas has been met with criticism from some quarters. Some people have argued that the decision will make it more difficult for international students to study in the UK and will discourage them from bringing their families with them. Others have argued that the decision is unfair to international students who have already been accepted to universities in the UK.

The government has defended the decision, arguing that it is necessary to reduce net migration and protect public services. The government has also said that it will provide support to international students who are affected by the decision.

sources

info

1. www.timeshighereducation.com/student/news/international-students-no-longer-able-bring-dependants-uk-student-visas#:~:text=The%20British%20government%20has%20announced,those%20on%20research %20postgraduate%20programs.