A recent data released by the Home Office of the United Kingdom on Thursday disclosed that the number of dependant visas issued to families of Nigerian students who obtained study visas has significantly increased.
From March 2022 to March 2023, a total of 66,796 dependant visas were issued, showing a remarkable growth of 146.1 percent compared to the previous year’s figure of 27,137 dependants who migrated to the UK from March 2021 to March 2022, The Punch reports.
This data release is noteworthy as it comes at a time when successive Conservative governments have pledged to reduce immigration numbers, particularly in the aftermath of Brexit.
Brexit was advocated by its proponents as a necessary measure for the UK to regain control of its borders.
The Home Office further disclosed that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, had the highest number of dependants of sponsored study visa holders, experiencing a significant increase of 146.1 percent to reach 66,796 in the year ending March 2023, compared to 27,137 in the year ending March 2022.
Indian nationals had the second highest number of dependants, with their figure rising from 22,598 to 42,381.
The data also revealed that approximately 73 percent of visas issued to dependants of students were given to individuals from these two nationalities (Indians and Nigerians).
The migration of Nigerian students to overseas institutions has continued to benefit foreign tertiary institutions and their respective countries.
For instance, in 2021, Nigerian students and their dependants studying in the United Kingdom contributed an estimated £1.9 billion to the UK economy, according to a report by SBM intelligence.
However, the UK has recently announced its intention to ban foreign students from bringing dependants to the country starting from January 2024.
The Home Office Secretary, Suella Braverman, proposed several policies for immigrant students, including the ban on dependants unless they are on postgraduate research programs.
Additionally, foreign students will no longer be able to switch from the student route to work routes for staying in the UK before completing their studies.
Furthermore, efforts will be made to crack down on unscrupulous education agents who may support inappropriate applications focused on immigration rather than genuine education.