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UK Visa Changes 2024: How it Affects Students, Skilled Workers, Dependants


October 14th, 2024 at 02:07 am

UK Visa Changes 2024: How it Affects Students, Skilled Workers, Dependants

The United Kingdom has long been a popular destination for international students, known for its great colleges and multicultural climate that attracts students from all over the world. Its educational institutions usually rank among the best in the world, and the dynamic cultural scene provides numerous possibilities for international students to enrich their experiences, practice English, and broaden their perspectives. In 2023, over 679,970 students from all around the world began their academic journeys in the United Kingdom.

These changes affect not only the visa application procedure, but also dependents, post-graduation employment options, and financial needs. (Representational Photograph)

These changes affect not only the visa application procedure, but also dependents, post-graduation employment options, and financial needs. (Representational Photograph)

However, the environment of studying in the UK has changed, notably in 2024, because of new immigration requirements that have transformed the experience for overseas students. These changes affect not only the visa application procedure, but also dependents, post-graduation employment options, and financial needs.

Changes in Visa and Financial Requirements

This year, the UK has made many modifications to its immigration rules. Previously, overseas students seeking postgraduate and research degrees were allowed to bring family members, such as husbands and children. However, the new guidelines allow only postgraduate research students, such as PhD candidates, to bring dependents. Students enrolled in other sorts of courses, including taught postgraduate programs, no longer have this option.

Further financial reforms are expected to take effect soon. International students’ monthly maintenance funds requirements will increase beginning in January 2025. Students in London will need to show that they have access to £1483 a month, while those outside of London would require £1136. This is a significant increase over the current requirements of £1334 for London and £1023 for outside London, which have been unchanged since 2020.

Changes for Graduate Visa

Another change is the opportunity to transition from a student visa to a Graduate visa, which permits students to stay in the UK for up to two years after finishing their studies (three years for PhD holders). Before the new laws, students could change their immigration status to a Graduate visa after finishing their course, without having to complete their original academic program. This is no longer the case. Students must now complete their whole course before applying for a Graduate visa.

What Happens After You Graduate?

Students wishing to stay in the UK after graduation must understand the new laws controlling student visa expiration. A student visa’s expiration date is normally determined by the length of the enrolled course. There is no ‘grace period’ for students on student visas, so they must either renew them or apply for new ones before they expire. If a student visa expires without renewal or transitions to another visa type, the student must leave the UK immediately.

The Graduate visa allows you to stay in the UK for an additional two years after your studies. For PhD or doctorate students, the time is extended to three years. Importantly, while applying for a Graduate visa, students must be physically present in the UK and submit their applications before their current student visa expires.

What About Dependent Visa Holders?

Students who bring family members with them before January 2024 can still extend their visas as long as the student visa is valid. This rule applies to families that were already in the UK before the reforms went into force, ensuring continuity for those who were already there.

If dependents want to continue in the UK independently, they can consider upgrading to a Work visa. If they match the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa, they can apply to stay in the UK based on their employment rather than their student visa status. However, this option is not open to all dependents, particularly parents of students who are not eligible to transfer to Skilled Worker visas.

The Implications of Transitioning to a Post-Study Work Visa

Many international students intend to prolong their stay in the UK using the Post-Study Work (PSW) visa, sometimes known as the Graduate visa. The good news for people looking for this option is that dependants who have previously been living in the UK with the student can apply for a dependent visa to remain in the country once the student moves to a PSW visa. This means that families that moved to the UK together will be able to stay together after the student moves from studying to working.

However, as previously stated, these options are only open to people whose families were already living with them in the UK while they were studying. Those entering after January 2024 under the new laws will not have this option, which may influence the decision of students seeking to balance studies and family life.

Navigating Your Study Abroad Journey.

The recent visa regulations have introduced new hurdles and considerations for overseas students, but they also highlight the significance of planning and preparedness. Prospective students must be aware of the latest laws, ranging from financial requirements to dependent visa limits, to make a smooth transition to studying and living in the UK.

For individuals seeking higher education in the United Kingdom, the country continues to provide world-class opportunities and experiences, but understanding the new visa environment is critical for making educated selections. Students can still make the most of their time in the UK, both academically and personally, by remaining informed about these changes and planning ahead of time.

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