New figures reveal an 80% decline in foreign students applying to bring family members to Britain, according to data from the Home Office. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed these figures as evidence that changes to the country’s visa system were effective.
The Home Office data indicates a significant decrease of over 26,000 student visa applications from January to March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Restrictions implemented on January 1, barring most foreign students from bringing dependents while studying, likely contributed to this decline.
Across three visa categories reformed by Home Secretary James Cleverly this year, there was an overall 24% decrease in applications, highlighting a broader trend in the UK’s visa system.
