Greetings everyone! If you’re interested in UK immigration, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll dissect the major announcement made by the UK government on May 23rd. We’ll cover FIVE crucial updates that might impact you or someone you know. Let’s dive in! 

Update 1: Restrictions on Family Dependents for Masters Students From 2024, international students enrolled in programs below the postgraduate research level, like Masters, won’t be allowed to bring family members as dependents. This restriction already existed for undergraduate students and has now been extended to Masters students as well. While the government assures that this is a temporary measure, they are currently working on an alternative approach to ensure top students can bring their dependents. 

Update 2: Requirement to Complete Studies Before Switching to Work Visa You can no longer switch from a student route to a work route until you’ve completed your studies. This update comes after the realization that many international students have been exploiting the career visa, which is often the easiest route to a UK work visa. Some students were obtaining these visas before even completing their degrees. This trend was causing significant losses to the UK higher education sector, with an annual financial impact of £300 million according to pre-pandemic HESA data. The government’s new restrictions on student visa routes aim to reduce net migration while preserving the economic advantages that international students bring to the UK. 

Update 3: Action Against Dishonest Educational Agents The UK government is taking action against dishonest educational agents who prioritize immigration over education. If you’re considering using an agent, ensure they have a reputable standing. Alternatively, you might want to consider applying directly. 

Update 4: Post-Study Work Visa is NOT closing! Here’s a bit of relief amidst the tightening regulations – the Post-Study Work visa (PSW) is NOT closing. This means that international students can still work in the UK for two years after graduation. 

Update 5: Increase in Proof of Funds Requirement Lastly, the UK government is considering increasing the amount students need to prove as evidence of their financial sustainability while studying in the UK. While the exact details and extent of this increase are currently unknown, students should brace for possible changes. 

Why the Tightening of Immigration?  

You might wonder why the UK government is taking such drastic steps, given that international students contributed a staggering £41.9 billion to the UK economy in 2021-2022. One of the challenges arises from the surge in net migration, which was reported to be over 500,000 between June 2021 and 2022 by the ONS. This high influx led to local issues like schooling and accommodation pressures, particularly from top source countries like Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. These pressures on the UK economy have necessitated these measures to control immigration. 

Conclusion: That wraps up our overview of the 2023 UK immigration changes. Despite these new rules, are you reconsidering your study plans in the UK? Feel free to share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below. We look forward to hearing from you!