The Rishi Sunak government has resolved to tighten visa requirements in order to reduce net migration in the United Kingdom. 

Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary, announced policy changes that include prohibiting international students from bringing dependents to the country and limiting the possibility for international students to switch to work visas before completing their courses. 

These new visa rules will affect Indian immigrants and students as well because every year numerous Indians travel to the UK for higher studies and job opportunities. Let’s see how it will impact them. 

Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman

Affect On Indian Immigration

In 2022, 135,788 visas were awarded to students’ dependents. Nearly 118,000 Indian students received a Student visa in the fiscal year ending June 2022, an 89% increase from the previous year.

As a result, policy changes are bound to affect a substantial number of Indian students planning to settle in the UK and start a family, according to Yash Dubal, director of A Y & J Solicitors. 

Meanwhile, Ajay Sharma, Founder and President, Abhinav Immigration stated, “The proposed policy cannot be considered a blanket ban, but the visas for dependents may be issued to students of top universities or high-value courses.” 


Also Read: UK Excludes India From Obtaining Easier Student Visas: Why?


Impact On Indian Students In UK

According to a survey by UK higher education institutions, international students, especially Indians, contribute approximately ten times more to the UK economy than they take out.

The Home Office also stated that the modifications to the student visa route do not jeopardize the government’s International Education Strategy, which includes fulfilling the aim of hosting 600,000 international higher education students studying in the UK each year by 2030.

Why Are These Changes Being Implemented? 

The safeguard was put in place to avoid the release of numbers showing that net migration in the UK reached a record high of 606,000 in the year to December 2022. 

These laws specifically influence their ability to bring family members to the nation while attending a British educational institution. The government imposed these restrictions on student visas in order to reduce total immigration to the UK while still acknowledging the economic benefits that overseas students bring to the country.

To keep its pledge to the British people of reducing net migration, the UK government aims to decrease the number of dependents entering the country on student visas.  


Image Credits: Google Images

Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth

SourcesLive Mint, Indian Express, Firstpost

Find the blogger: Palak Dogra 

This post is tagged under: UK visa, visa, student visa, higher studies, abroad, Indian immigrants, immigrations, United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak

Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.


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