Concerned about the rising number of family members joining foreign students in the country, the United Kingdom has set plans in motion to prohibit foreign students from bringing their spouses and children on academic grounds.
The new policy, however, excluded foreign students studying “high-value” degrees.
In a report by The Times on Friday, the high-value courses are science, mathematics, and engineering, and as such, international students granted visas to study these courses can relocate to the UK with their families.
The report disclosed that the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak and the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, are considering the policy over the concerns that statistics of family members joining foreign students have risen to almost eight times.
Currently, the UK permits spouses and parents of any foreign student to travel with them on the basis of a valid student visa.
It was reported that Nigerians accounted for the highest rise in the number of dependants accompanying persons with study visas in 2022.
Nigerians also accounted for the largest increase in sponsored study grants compared with 2019, increasing by 57,545 (+686%) to a record high of 65,929, making them the third largest nationality group in the latest year.
The Times reported that the new immigration numbers revealed that 490,763 students were given visas in 2022, and were accompanied by 135,788 dependants — spouses and children – which were 16,047 in 2019.
Foreign students would also be excluded from bringing families unless they are studying at a higher level, such as a master’s degree or doctoral degree, the report added.
However, universities and members of parliament from all parties criticised the proposals, pointing to research suggesting that foreign students contribute £35 billion a year to the economy.
The development is the latest in Braverman’s “aspirations” to control migrants from entering the UK.
