Indian students have long been a significant presence in UK universities. They are often the largest group among international students, particularly at the postgraduate level. However, recent data reveals a troubling trend: a 23% drop in sponsored UK study visas for Indian students in the past year.
UK Visa Policies Lead To 23% Decline In Indian Students
According to the latest figures from the UK Home Office, 110,006 study visas were granted to Indian students in the year ending June 2024. This is a decrease of 32,687 from the previous year’s total of 142,693. This decline comes after a period of steady growth from 2019 to 2023.
Indian students have traditionally preferred UK universities for their higher education, especially for master’s programmes. In the latest data, 81% of the Indian students granted visas were pursuing postgraduate studies. Despite this historical preference, stricter immigration rules are now causing hesitation among prospective students.
Factors Behind The Decrease
The decline in Indian student visas is part of a broader trend. The UK Home Office data also shows a significant 46% drop in visas granted to Nigerian students. In contrast, Pakistani students have now surpassed Nigerians, becoming the third-largest group of foreign students in the UK.
The UK Home Office notes that the rise in foreign students from 2019 to 2023 was largely driven by Indian and Nigerian nationals. Yet, both groups have seen declines in the most recent year.
One significant factor behind the decrease in student visas is the tightening of visa policies for dependants. Starting in January 2024, only research-based postgraduate students can bring partners and children to the UK. This policy change has led to a dramatic 81% drop in dependant visas issued in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Only 11,675 dependant visas were granted, down from previous years.
In the year ending June 2024, 94,253 visas were issued to student dependants, a 39% decrease from the previous year but still nearly six times higher than in 2019. The previous Tory government had already increased the annual salary required to bring a dependant to the UK, raising it from GBP 18,600 to GBP 29,000 in April 2024.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (Representative Image)
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