The British government announced new measures on Tuesday to limit the number of international students bringing family members into the country. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the number of dependent visas had increased by 750 percent since 2019, rising to a total of 136,000 people. The new measures will only allow postgraduate research students to bring dependents, and will come into force in January.
The announcement comes as the government faces growing pressure to curb rapidly rising immigration numbers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has put the focus on tackling illegal immigration and stopping the flow of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel from France on small boats.
Critics doubt that the new restrictions will reduce net migration figures significantly, while others point to a risk to the huge revenue international students generate. Universities UK International, which represents the sector, said that the announcement “provides some clarity for students and universities after many months of rumor and speculation; but leaves some questions unanswered.”