While the policy change might seem restrictive on the surface, one official believes it does not aim to discourage foreign students from coming to the UK.
While the policy change might seem restrictive on the surface, one official believes it does not aim to discourage foreign students from coming to the UK.
The UK government’s decision to bar foreign students from bringing their family members and dependents with them, starting from January 2024, has sparked discussions about the potential impact of the policy on international students and their families.
Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, revealed that this policy change was prompted by a significant rise in the number of dependents accompanying Nigerian students to the UK in recent years.
“It is not surprising that a country – Britain in this case – that is facing that kind of change to the numbers of people coming in the country, wants to look at the policy and would want to change and amend their policy,” Baxter told the News Agency of Nigeria.
Baxter explained that the number of dependents accompanying Nigerian students increased from 1,500 in 2019 to a staggering 52,000 by 2022-23.
This exponential growth has not been limited to Nigeria. Other countries have also witnessed a similar trend. He referred to this as a challenge that many nations are grappling with, leading the UK government to reevaluate its policies in response.
“For some of those people who are going to the UK and are in some limited circumstances, those people will access services when they are in the UK and those services cost money,” he said.
While the policy change might seem restrictive on the surface, Baxter said that it does not reflect a desire to discourage foreign students from coming to the UK.
On one hand, the UK still welcomes international students; on the other, the policy is merely a response to the supposedly changing landscape of immigration and the consequent need to manage the influx of people.
“This is definitely not a case of saying that we don’t want students to come; we definitely want students still to come,” he said.
Increase in visa fees
Baxter also clarified that visa fees are regularly reviewed by the British government, and adjustments are made when deemed necessary. He justified recent fee increments by highlighting that a portion of these fees would be allocated to cover the expenses of services that some visa holders might require during their stay in the UK.
This approach is designed to ensure that those who benefit from specific services contribute towards their cost.
“What the British government has decided to do is – they review fees all the time, and they’ve decided that, because of the cost of processing visas, those costs that people applying for visas need to pay should go up as well,” he said, suggesting the need for clear communication around the fee increases and policy changes. “It is important for us to explain it so people understand the reasons for the increment,” he added.
Baxter also encouraged prospective international students to apply for visas well in advance of their planned travel dates, as the visa approval process involves several steps and timeframes that need to be taken into account.
This policy shift by the UK government raises questions about its potential impact on the choices and experiences of foreign students. The inability to bring dependents along could affect the decisions of those who value the support and companionship of family members during their studies abroad.
Furthermore, the increased visa fees could be a financial burden for students and their families.
On the other end of the spectrum, however, the policy change could lead to a more streamlined visa processing system and possibly alleviate some administrative challenges associated with managing the influx of dependents.
