The UK government recently made some changes and improvements to help international students who want to study there. Starting in January 2024, students will experience these changes, as stated in the official announcement on May 23rd, 2023.
- The Graduate Route Visa, often known as the Post-Study Work Visa, has not changed, which is good news. International students are thus allowed to remain and work in the UK for two years following completion of their bachelor’s or master’s degree, as per the prior visa regulations.
- International students can no longer switch their visa type from study to work before finishing their programme. Due to the rising tendency of recently arrived students quitting school to find employment in the UK, this limitation was put in place.
- Another significant change is the government’s announcement that international students cannot bring their families as dependents. Only students enrolled in taught master’s programmes in the UK are subject to this ban. However, under the new regulations established by the UK Government, students pursuing postgraduate degrees classed as research programmes, including a PhD, can still bring their family as dependents. A 3-year Graduate route visa (post-study employment visa) is also available to international students obtaining a PhD. Student visa holders will benefit from more part-time job opportunities due to the ban and decreased number of dependant visas.