Student visa route restrictions proposed

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The U.K. Home Office plans to introduce new restrictions to student visa routes to reduce migration.

Beginning in January 2024, authorities plan to:

• Restrict the ability of foreign national students to sponsor family members under all immigration routes except for post-graduate research routes.
• No longer allow overseas students to switch from the student visa route into work routes until their studies have been completed.
• Review the funds students must have to demonstrate they can support themselves and their dependents while in the United Kingdom.
• Impose limitations on international student agents who may be supporting applications illegally.

Additional Information: U.K. authorities do not plan restrictions on graduate visa routes at this time.

BAL Analysis: The new government restrictions to student visa routes aim to cut net migration by restricting the ability for international students to bring family members on all but post-graduate research routes and banning people from using a student visa to work in the United Kingdom.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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