Things to know: UK Moves To Ban Nigerian Students From Traveling With Families

Everything you need to know as the UK Moves To Ban Nigerian Students From Traveling With Families! The United Kindom has been a solitude of learning for many generations, countries, and many Nigerians who not only wants a better education but a better chance at life itself with a lot of opportunities that abound in the community has made the country a destination for many and Nigerians are like who sometimes refer to the country as their second home because of the warmth and accommodating nature of its people.

Well, one of the reasons why many have chosen to take refuge in the UK may be the condition of their home countries, not only because of the nature of the citadel of learning in their country but mainly because of economic instability, security, and opportunity that a foreign country that is doing well presents in addition to the prestige of finishing in one of the best schools in the world.

Also, like every other student from different countries in the UK, Nigerian students are known to excel in their endeavors, aside from the bad eggs, it has become a known fact that anywhere Nigerian is, they are bound to do exploit and succeed even a harsh condition become they have been raised in a condition that is a lot worse, that is why a student who failed in Nigeria or has a lower credit may have distinctions in the UK.

What Does The UK Ban Means?

The UK government on the 23rd of May 2023 released a publication about restrictions and changes to student visa routes that will reduce net migration, this was released from the Home Office, Department for Education, by Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC MP, and Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP in a statement that revealed that “The ONS estimated that net migration was over 500,000 from June 2021 to June 2022. Although partly attributed to the rise in temporary factors, such as the UK’s Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes, last year almost half a million student visas were issued while the number of dependants of overseas students has increased by 750% since 2019, to 136,000 people”

While this move may be the single act of a country to curb the migrations of other nationals from taking advantage of the loophole in the system to migrate into the country it is also one of the ways to stop illegal migration.

Nigerians are one of the top 5 countries after India and Cina that saw an increase in Sponsored Study grants compared with 2019, increasing by 57,545 (+686%) to a record high of 65,929, making them the third largest nationality group in the latest year. Additionally, Nigerians are not the only country to be banned by the United Kingdom, the restriction will cover all international students irrespective of where they are coming from.

Although the initial proposal to the house, created room for a limited number of those who come from abroad to study in the UK  to still be allowed to bring their partners or children to the country, the majority, a major percentage of international students will be denied that provision in a bid to stop over migration.

How This Will Affect Nigerian Students?

Although the development is not starting immediately, it is stipulated to start in January 2024 in other to avail future students to make the proper plans ahead against the restrictions. Furthermore, according to a figure presented on dailymail.co.uk, Nigeria had the highest number of dependants (60,923) of sponsored study visa holders in 2022, while India had the second highest number of dependants (38,990). There were almost 120,000 dependant visas granted to the top five nationalities of Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in 2021.

Meanwhile, apart from Nigerian students who are to resume their studies before the year ends, it means that anyone who wishes to use the student route to japa out of the country to the UK will no longer be able to as there is a clamp down on international students if I would say on Nigerians since they hold the highest number among those traveling with relatives.

Additionally, it is good to note that this restriction only affects those who are going to the UK for their master’s, Nigerians going for Postgraduates studies will not be affected by the new development since their study is research base and usually take between 3-5 year for completion they will still be able to travel to the UK with families.

Also, as a Nigerian student who wishes to travel to the United Kingdom for studies sake, you will no longer be able to switch out of the student route visa into a work routes visa for staying in the UK before their studies have been completed. That means as a foreign student you have to have complete your studies before changing your visa to another. There is also a report that the Home Secretary wants to slash the period of years a student could remain in the UK from 2 years to 6 months. Lastly, the amount of funds for you to be able to cater for your dependant will be reviewed which means that you have to have in your account sufficient funds to support whoever you are bringing into the UK.

Traveling To The UK

Meanwhile, many have argued and pressured the PM to remove the international students from the list of migrants that he has presented that inflated the numbers of people coming into the UK. According to dailymail.co.uk, a former minister named Chris Skidmore posted on Twitter: “The easiest and fastest way to reduce net migration is to remove international students from these artificial statistics.’They aren’t migrants, the vast majority leave after their studies, they subsidize home student fees and research, and spend over £40bn in local economies.”

The UK government has said they will however work with the higher education sector to explore alternative options to ensure the brightest and best students can continue to bring dependents when they study at the UK’s world-leading universities. But traveling or migrating into the UK can be explored using other traveling routes if there seems to be a clamp down on the student route, you can explore some of the other listed ways you can travel below even with family even though it is easy to go with families as a student, well, not anymore.

• Work Visas
• Settlement Visas
• Commonwealth citizens visas
• Asylum Visa
• Family Visa

FAQs

Can foreign students bring family to the UK?

No, you can longer bring family into the UK as the new restrictions will take effect in January 2024

Can an international student in UK travel to another country?

You can travel to other countries as long as your visa is still valid and you inform the necessary people before you do so.

Is dependent visa banned in the UK?

Yes, a dependent visa is banned in the UK as international students can no longer travel with family members, except you are doing Ph.D.

Can I invite family to the UK on a student visa?

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REFERENCE: wikipedia.org, joinnigeriannavy.com, topnigerianjobs.com