Visas for Student Dependents Drop by 80% After Migration Control Measures
New visa data from the Home Office indicate a potential decrease in immigration levels as new regulations took effect this spring.
Figures released on Tuesday show that the issuance of foreign student dependant visas between January and March plummeted by about 80 percent compared to the same quarter in 2023.
This decline followed the implementation of a new rule this year that prohibits most students from bringing dependants.
Additionally, the number of visas issued to health and care workers dropped by nearly 74 percent, with dependant visas surpassing main applicant visas significantly.
The Home Office mentioned that the full impact of the restriction on care worker dependant visas, enforced on March 11, will be reflected in future statistics.
In the first quarter of this year, the UK issued a total of 139,100 visas to health and care workers, other skilled workers, sponsored students, and their dependants.
This figure is approximately 15 percent higher than the same quarter in 2022, but 25 percent lower than the level observed in the first quarter of 2023.
Out of these visas, 34,000 were granted to sponsored students, a 15 percent decrease from 2023, and 6,700 were issued to their dependants, nearly 80 percent less compared to 2023.
In the same quarter, 10,200 foreign health and care workers received work visas, representing about 26 percent of the number in the corresponding quarter last year. However, 49,300 visas were given to dependants of health and care workers, which is nearly 12 percent higher than 2023 and almost five times the number of main applicants.
The number of visas issued to other skilled workers and their dependants has risen by 19 percent and 61 percent, respectively, to 19,100 and 19,800.
The upcoming quarter may witness a shift in trends as the increased salary threshold for skilled worker visas took effect on April 4.
The standard minimum salary for skilled worker visa holders arriving in the UK has been raised from £26,200 to £38,700.
Moreover, the threshold for workers on existing sponsorships or lower rates has increased to £29,000, with a corresponding rise in the ‘going rate’ minimum salary for each job.
Additional government measures include cracking down on substandard courses, fraudulent healthcare visa sponsors, and narrowing the list of eligible jobs for sponsors of skilled worker visas.
Regarding the figures released on Tuesday, Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that future statistics will continue to reflect the impact of these policies.
He emphasized the need for decisive action to address unsustainable migration numbers and assured ongoing progress towards achieving public expectations for immigration control.
Last week, Migrants at Work initiated a legal challenge against the government’s policy prohibiting care workers from bringing dependants, citing concerns about family separation.
In response, a government spokesperson reiterated the importance of reforms to address social care needs and reduce unsustainable dependant-to-worker ratios.
