From January 2024 onwards, international students will no longer be permitted to bring their family members with them when they come to the United Kingdom to pursue their studies. Previously, international students were allowed to bring their spouses and children to the UK under the dependent visa category. However, there is an exception for those who are enrolled in postgraduate research programs, such as research-based PhDs and research-based master's programs. International students who are pursuing non-research-based postgraduate courses will not be allowed to bring their dependents along with them.

According to the  Home Office , nearly 500,000 student visas were granted in 2022, while the dependents count of international students has surged by 750% since 2019, reaching a total of 136,000 individuals.

Who are dependents?

In the UK, a 'dependent' is generally described as a family member who relies on the primary visa holder for financial support and is authorized to join them in the UK. This can include a spouse or registered partner, an unmarried partner, and children under 18 years old. Depending on the particular visa category, it is also feasible for dependent visas to be issued to other relatives such as adult children, parents, or grandparents.

According to  Ms. Braverman , international students who are not prohibited from bringing their dependents will still have a  greater responsibility to show  that they can take care of both themselves and their dependents.

Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, says  that there has been a substantial increase in the number of family members being brought to the UK by students. It is necessary for us to take measures to decrease this number while upholding our commitment to the International Education Strategy, which plays a vital role in enhancing the UK's education sector and making a significant contribution to the broader economy.

How will this new policy impact students who wish to study abroad in 2024?

This policy change could potentially impact how prospective students from India make their decisions. The fact that they are not allowed to bring their dependents with them might discourage them from considering the UK as a place to study.
 

However, postgraduate programs in the UK typically have a shorter duration of about one year than other countries. Whether or not to bring their families with them to the destination country depends on the students and their personal preferences.

What rights will the dependents have under the amended rule in the UK?

The amended regulations in the UK offer different rights and advantages to dependents depending on their specific visa category. These typically encompass legal residency, work privileges for adult dependents, access to healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS), educational opportunities for dependent children, and the freedom to travel to and from the UK as long as the primary visa holder's visa remains valid.

The duration of dependent's visa usually matches the primary visa holder's. Check with UK Home Office or the specific visa program for updated information on dependents' rights and benefits.