UK Implements Ban on Family Reunification for Foreign Students, Citing Migration Reduction and Economic Concerns
The United Kingdom has announced that starting from January 2024, foreign students, specifically undergraduate and postgraduate students on non-research courses, will no longer be allowed to bring their families, including spouses, children, and parents, to the country. The decision was made by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who cited several reasons for implementing this restriction policy.
One of the key factors behind the ban is the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s objective to reduce migration as a means to revive the UK economy. Sunak believes that cutting down on the number of immigrants moving to the UK will contribute to this goal.
Nigeria, with the highest number of African students studying in the UK, is a significant factor in this decision. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Nigeria ranks third in terms of the number of students studying in the UK, following China and India. This places Nigeria at the forefront of African countries in terms of students studying in the UK.
Furthermore, the UK government is concerned about the substantial increase in migration from non-EU countries, including refugees, African migrants, and Asian migrants. Approximately 170,000 individuals from outside the EU have resettled in the UK, leading to worries about the impact on the country’s economy.
The restriction on family reunification for foreign students is also seen as a measure to prevent a large number of immigrants, including Nigerians, from dominating key sectors of the British economy. Home Secretary Braverman has called for reduced immigration and suggested that more British citizens should be trained to fill job positions traditionally occupied by overseas workers, such as lorry driving and fruit picking.
Please note that the above information is based on the provided context and may not reflect the most current developments on the issue. It is recommended to refer to official sources or recent news for the latest updates.
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