U.K.'s changes to student visa routes don't specifically target Nigerian students

By: Annet Preethi Furtado
June 6 2023

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Context
Net migration to the United Kingdom has been rising steadily following a decline during the pandemic. In 2022, the annual net migration reached an unprecedented 606,000 individuals, driven primarily by non-European Union nationals who migrated for work, education, and refugees participating in Ukraine visa schemes facilitated by the British government, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Taking the evolving immigration landscape into account, the U.K. government implemented measures on May 23, 2023, explicitly affecting international students, which included limitations on accompanying family members. However, there have been claims circulating on social media suggesting that these regulations unfairly target Nigerian students by prohibiting them from bringing their families to the country. "Breaking News. UK officially bans Nigerian students from bringing their family over," one such post read.

In Fact
From January 2024 onwards, the U.K. government plans to restrict the ability of international students to bring dependants, except for those enrolled in research-focused postgraduate programs. This announcement was made by U.K. Home Secretary Suella Braverman on May 23, 2023, as part of efforts to reduce immigration, with a particular focus on international students. The statement notes an unexpected increase in dependants accompanying international students, as revealed by immigration statistics.

In the statement it shared on May 23, titled "Changes to student visa route will reduce net migration," the U.K. government emphasized that the objective is to limit the option of bringing family members for most students, except those pursuing postgraduate research routes, and to prevent individuals from using student visas as a pathway to employment in the U.K. This new policy applies to all individuals intending to bring dependents to the U.K., regardless of their circumstances or nationality.

The statement further reveals that net migration between June 2021 and June 2022 surpassed 500,000 individuals. While some of this increase can be attributed to factors such as the U.K.'s Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes, the release also emphasized that nearly half a million student visas were issued during that timeframe. Furthermore, there has been a remarkable surge of 750 percent in the number of dependents accompanying overseas students since 2019, amounting to 136,000 individuals.

While revisions have been made to immigration laws in the U.K., it is important to note that these changes are generally applicable and not specifically targeted at any particular nationality. Nigerian students, like students from other countries, are still welcome to pursue their educational endeavors in the U.K. The new policies implemented by the U.K. government are not exclusive to Nigerian students but apply to all international students. Logically Facts has also written to the U.K. Home Office for a statement on this claim. This story will be updated if and when we receive a response.

The Verdict
The government's newly introduced restrictions on student visa routes are designed to decrease net migration. These restrictions restrict the ability to bring dependents to the U.K. but do not specifically single out Nigerian students or any particular nationality. It applies to all students except those pursuing postgraduate research routes. Therefore, we mark the claim misleading.