The British government has unveiled new visa restrictions that will impact international students, according to reports in The Dawn newspaper. The measures primarily target postgraduate students enrolled in research programs lasting more than two years, requiring them to have sponsorship for their dependents to bring them to the UK.
Since Brexit, the UK has ended the free movement of people with the European Union, but migration numbers have reached record highs. A significant increase in the number of individuals seeking refuge from countries like Ukraine, Hong Kong, Afghanistan, as well as students from India and Nigeria, has been observed.
This move has stirred political controversy, with a recent cabinet clash over the issue. Home Secretary Sveila Braverman, from the right-wing faction, expressed strong support for tougher measures against her own government.
However, ministers in charge of finance and education have voiced their opposition, arguing against the high fees charged by foreign workers in highly skilled professions and by international students attending British universities.
She indicated that in the future, non-UK students would be prevented from “swapping student routes for work routes” before completing their courses.
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, representing UK universities abroad, expressed concerns that these new measures could lead to a decrease in the number of students migrating to the UK.
