In an effort to reduce immigration, the UK Home Office would forbid students from bringing their families to the country. All international students, including those from the European Union, will be subject to the adjustments beginning with the January 2024 academic year.

The main applicants are permitted by the law to bring their spouse or civil partner, as well as any children under the age of 18, to the UK.

However, under the new regulations, dependents will only be permitted to accompany students if they are enrolled in postgraduate programs that are now classified as research programs. Additionally, international students will no longer be able to change from a student visa to a work visa before finishing their studies.

The Home Office stated that the adjustments were required to “ensure that the UK’s immigration system is fair and works in the best interests of the British people”.

Some people have criticized the reforms, claiming that they will make it more challenging for international students to study in the UK.
A larger government initiative to lower net migration to the UK is included in the new regulations. In 2022, net migration to the UK stood at 273,000, down from 332,000 in 2021. The government has set a target of reducing net migration to below 100,000 by 2025.