UK Implements Visa Restrictions for International Students

The UK government has implemented new visa restrictions for foreign students, with Home Secretary James Cleverly announcing the measures aimed at reducing the number of dependents accompanying students to the UK. The new rules prevent most international students from bringing family members to the UK unless they are on postgraduate research courses or government-funded scholarships, with the aim to see around 140,000 fewer people coming to the UK each year. The policy is designed to target a reduction in migration by tens of thousands, but has faced criticism from various quarters and raised concerns from experts and universities about potential financial impacts and damage to the UK’s reputation as an international destination. The move was announced in May and has been welcomed by the government as part of a plan to prevent 300,000 people from coming to the UK.