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Indian students hit as UK immigration dips amid visa rule changes
Before these changes, Indian nationals had accounted for 1,42,848 sponsored study visas by June 2023, making them the largest group of student visa recipients.
Stock image. / Pexels
Indian nationals are facing a significant impact from tightened student visa regulations in the United Kingdom, with immigration figures recording a sharp decline in student and dependent visas issued.
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK recorded 1.2 million immigrants in the year leading up to June 2024. Of these, 86 percent were non-EU nationals, 10 percent were from EU countries, and 5 percent were British returnees.
Indian nationals led non-EU immigration, with 2.4 lakh arrivals. However, student visa issuance for Indians dropped significantly after the new restrictions on bringing dependents and stricter rules for switching to work visas mid-study came into effect.
The changes, introduced under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in January 2024, have altered the landscape for international students, particularly from India, who previously dominated the inflow of sponsored study visas. Between October 2023 and September 2024, total student visas fell by 19 percent to 392,969, while dependent visas plummeted by 69 percent to 46,961.
Before these changes, Indian nationals had accounted for 1,42,848 sponsored study visas by June 2023, a 54 percent increase from the previous year, making them the largest group of student visa recipients.
Impact on Universities
The policy changes have disrupted UK universities, which have long relied on international students for revenue. Enroly, a platform that supports international student admissions, reported a 30 percent decline in key metrics, including deposit payments and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issuance for January 2024. Similarly, UCAS data showed a 3 percent drop in enrolments and a 32.55 percent decrease in CAS issuance for Indian students year-on-year.
India continued to lead non-EU migration for work, study, and asylum, followed by Nigeria (120,000), Pakistan (101,000), China (78,000), and Zimbabwe (36,000). Most non-EU arrivals came for work (417,000), study (375,000), or asylum (84,000).
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