London wants to restrict visa rules for foreign students

Entry permits are granted to family members only of master’s and doctoral students.

In order to limit immigration from abroad, Great Britain wants to restrict visa rules for international students. In the future, master’s or doctoral students will only have to bring their family members into the country for the duration of their stay, the British government announced on Tuesday.

Last year, 136,000 visas were issued to family members of international students. This was eight times more than in 2019.

There is no work permit without a certificate

As a further emphasis, foreign students should be prevented in the future from switching to an employment relationship without completing their studies and thus extending their stay. However, according to the government, students can still stay in the country for two years on the same visa if they find work after graduation.

Speaking to parliament, Conservative Home Minister Soella Braverman said the proposals struck the “right balance” and would help immigration “return to pre-coronavirus levels” in the medium term. Braverman faced opposition to her plans from her colleagues at the Department of Treasury and Education. These refer to the skills of foreign workers and the income from the high tuition fees that international students have to pay in British universities.

migration before peak

Since Brexit, the UK has ended visa-free entry for students from the EU. However, it is estimated that migration will peak this year.

This trend has been supported by revised visas for refugees from Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan. But many students, especially from India and Nigeria, have also come to the country. Uncontrolled immigration from the European Union was one of the big issues for Brexiteers in 2016.

(APA / AFP)