The newly elected UK government has announced that it will continue to enforce the current restrictions on student visas. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed in a TV interview that the Labour Party does not plan to lift the visa restrictions imposed by the previous Rishi Sunak administration.
In January, Sunak’s government introduced measures limiting international students’ ability to bring dependents to the UK. Despite speculation that the new administration might relax these restrictions, Phillipson has clarified that there are no plans to reverse them.
Phillipson acknowledged the valuable contributions of international students, noting that their presence enhances the UK’s global impact and strengthens business and trade ties. However, she stated that increasing tuition fees would be “unpalatable,” given the ongoing challenges students face, including living and housing costs.
Phillipson also mentioned that the government intends to reform the overall system, though details are not yet available. Recent Home Office data shows a 40 percent drop in sponsored study visa applications, highlighting the significant impact of the restrictions. In June, the Home Office received 28,200 applications, a significant decrease from 38,900 applications in the same month last year.
Related: UK Introduces New Measures to Support Overseas Students
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