PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Migration (25 May 2023)

On 23 May, the Government announced a package of measures to tackle the substantial rise in the number of student dependants coming to the UK. This package includes:

o Removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes.

o Removing students’ right to switch into a work route before their studies are complete.

o Reviewing maintenance requirements for those applying for student and dependant visas.

o Clamping down on unscrupulous education agents selling inappropriate applications.

o Improving communications about visa rules to universities and international students.

o Improved and more targeted enforcement activity.

We expect this package to have a tangible impact on net migration. Taken together with the easing of temporary factors, like our exceptional humanitarian offers, we expect net migration to fall to pre-pandemic levels in the medium term.

We keep all our immigration policies under constant review to ensure they best serve the UK and reflect the public’s priorities.