The UK government has initiated the enforcement of its policy prohibiting Nigerian and other foreign students in the country from sponsoring family members through the study visa route.
Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt
The enforcement of this policy marks a significant shift in the UK government’s approach to the sponsorship of family members by foreign students. Previously, students were allowed to bring their spouses, children, or other dependents along when pursuing their studies in the UK. However, the recent announcement indicates a tightening of regulations in this regard.
In a recent announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the UK Home Office confirmed that only postgraduate research or government-sponsored scholarship students would be exceptions to this new regulation.
The Home Office announced that “we are fully committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration. From today on, new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK. Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt.”
The UK Home Office has not provided detailed information on the specific reasons behind the policy change. However, such decisions are typically driven by a combination of factors, including concerns about immigration levels, strain on public services, and a desire to prioritize certain categories of students.
Also, the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, confirmed in a post on X on Monday the ban on foreign students bringing in dependents to the country.
This policy change is likely to have far-reaching consequences for Nigerian and other international students studying in the UK. The ability to bring family members provides emotional support and a sense of stability for students navigating a foreign educational environment. The new regulations may pose challenges for students who rely on the presence of their families for cultural and emotional support during their studies.
The impact will not only be felt by students but also by their families, who may have been planning to join their loved ones in the UK. This change may disrupt family dynamics and alter the overall experience for those pursuing education in the country.
He wrote, “From today, the majority of foreign university students cannot bring family members to the UK. In 2024, we’re already delivering for the British people.”
In a recent immigration crackdown, the United Kingdom announced the prohibition of most foreign students from inviting their families to Britain.
Despite the Home Office’s push to raise the salary threshold for foreign workers from £26,000 to £33,000 to reduce numbers, the Prime Minister’s Office rejected the proposal.
This decision followed a surge in net migration to 1 million, prompting some Conservative MPs to urge Sunak to address the escalating numbers.
The crackdown will impact master’s students and several other postgraduate students, preventing them from bringing their families to the UK. However, it won’t affect PhD students, typically highly skilled individuals with courses spanning 3 to 5 years.