The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, announced that international students will no longer be granted visas to the UK with their family members, with the exception of PhD students.
This policy change, which took effect earlier this year, aims to address the surge in foreign students bringing dependants, which has put pressure on universities and public services.
According to Dr. Montgomery, the number of dependants accompanying foreign students to the UK has increased significantly, with a 30-fold rise in cases from Nigeria alone. In 2019, only 1,500 dependants accompanied Nigerian students, but this figure jumped to 52,000 in 2022. Similar increases were seen among Indian students and other foreign nationals.
The High Commissioner explained that the restrictions do not apply to all categories, and students pursuing a long-term research degree like a PhD can still bring their dependants. However, those coming to the UK for undergraduate or short-term master’s degrees will no longer be able to bring their families.
Dr. Montgomery emphasized that the demand for UK education remains strong, with 65,000 study visas approved for Nigerian applicants in 2022 and over 110,000 study visas issued in September 2023. He expressed pride in the UK’s higher education sector, which attracts students from around the world.
While the policy change may affect some students, Dr. Montgomery hopes that the demand for UK education will be sustained, and that the value of the Naira will not pose a significant barrier for Nigerian students. The High Commissioner also highlighted the need for students to understand the reasons behind the policy change, which aims to ensure a sustainable and accessible education system for all.
