Quick Highlights

● As of January 2023, the UK government will ban international students from bringing their spouse or other dependents with them unless they are studying in a postgraduate course with a research project.

● The decision has been taken to help curb net migration.

● But the graduation route remains unaffected by updated immigration restrictions. Under this route, Eligible students can remain in the UK for 2-3 extended years.

● Students cannot switch to another skilled worker route unless they complete their studies.

● Strategies have been implemented to stop “unscrupulous” agents from migrating students.

● UK government says it remains committed to the UK’s International Education

 strategy.

● The target of 600,000 international students will be met for two consecutive years. 

In the UK, immigration is at a record high, and the current administration intends to reduce net migration by tightening the profile of immigrants who enter the nation. Net migration topped 500,000 between June 2021 and June 2022, surpassing the number recorded in 2019, and additional data that will be revealed this week is anticipated to indicate that the 2022 figure has increased by at least 200,000. 

The number of persons who relocate to the UK for at least a year divided by the number who depart over the same period is known as net migration. There are consequences for overseas students, notably in the shape of an updated regulation concerning student dependents that the Home Office and the Department of Education jointly issued.

International students won’t be allowed to accompany their loved ones to the UK from January 2024 unless enrolled in a postgraduate research degree (such as a research-based Ph.D. or master’s program). International students would not be allowed to bring dependents to postgraduate programs not categorized as research-oriented.

The Home Office reports that “almost 500,000 student visas were issued in 2022 while the total number of dependents of international learners has grown by 75% since 2019 to 136,000 people.” Children under 18, partners, and civil partners are considered dependents, as are elderly parents who require long-term care.

Blocking of Dependants May Have Tangible Effect 

The new policy is referred to by the government as the “single biggest restricting action an administration has ever done,” and according to Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who is a relative hardliner on the necessity of lower migration to the UK, “We expect this set of measures to have a demonstrable impact on net migration.” According to her, the new regulation is “the fair approach to do that enables us to safeguard our government facilities while supporting economic growth through enabling the students who provide the greatest to keep coming here,” she adds. 

Additionally, Ms. Braverman notes that overseas students permitted to bring dependents will still have a greater burden of evidence to demonstrate their ability to “look after themselves and their dependents.”

Gillian Keegan, the secretary of education, says:

“Students are now bringing more family members to the UK than ever. It is appropriate that we are acting to lower this figure while upholding our adherence to our international education strategy, which serves to bolster the UK’s educational landscape and significantly boost the national economy”.

Students Have To Stay in Study Program Until Completed 

International students will never again be permitted to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa before finishing their education. The law is designed to deter international students from selecting the UK primarily for employment opportunities rather than academic pursuits. The Economic Times of India said last year that 

“Since it provides a less expensive and quicker track to full-time work in the UK, more and more overseas students are choosing [the Skilled Worker option]. On the other side, before accessing the labor market, students who choose the Graduate Route must pay exorbitant course fees and expenses for the entire program length.

The government is preventing non-real students who are motivated to find employment in the UK from using the Skilled Worker Route as a backdoor.

Will The Policy Change? 

It’s unclear how much freedom Ms. Braverman will provide as to which students may bring dependents:

“Over the upcoming year, we plan to collaborate with institutions to develop a different strategy to guarantee that the smartest and most talented learners may enroll their dependents at our top-ranked colleges while continuing to lower net migration. This system will be implemented as soon as feasible following extensive engagement with the industry and important stakeholders.

The graduation Route Still remains Unaffected. 

Last year, there was worry in the foreign education community that the Home Office might shorten the Graduate Route’s two-year maximum stay in the UK to only six months. The Graduate Route will still allow overseas students to remain in the country for two years (three years for doctoral/Ph.D. candidates), notwithstanding the anticipated drop.

Bottom Line 

While most students won’t be impacted by plans restricting the ability to bring dependents with them, more details about the covered programs must be known before an impact assessment can be done properly. However, we know that any adjustments would affect women and students from particular nations disproportionately. In short, if you want to study overseas and bring your spouse to the UK, apply before the strategy is implemented.

Career Overseas is here to guide you… 

With changing policies and programs, it becomes complicated for students to fulfill their dream of studying in overseas universities. But don’t worry! We at Career Overseas provide the right guidance about upcoming updates and how students can successfully apply for a visa to study in the UK. For more information on spouse visas, contact us at your earliest and get the best response. 

Wondering how to get permanent residency in Canada? Career Overseas provides you with the easiest provinces that help to get your PR. There are countless province nominee programs with different eligibility criteria. The PNPs programs are specially designed for immigrants to fill the gap between labor forces in Canada. So, candidates with the necessary skills are in high demand in Canada.

This is the easiest way to get permanent residency in Canada. However, candidates need work experience and connections with the provinces, such as companies, jobs, and educational credentials, to apply for PNP. If you’ve got the necessary skills, apply for any of these provinces.

1. Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker (Express Entry and Occupation in Demand)

Saskatchewan is one of the famous destinations for individuals who want permanent residency in Canada. This is located in the prairie region and has ample job opportunities for overseas candidates. The express entry stream and occupation in demand stream of Saskatchewan’s international skilled worker PNP has been designed for workers with experience in in-demand occupations.

Candidates must have at least one year of work expertise in a field not on the SHIP’s Excluded Occupations List to be eligible for an EOI. English or French language proficiency is required, as well as completing at least twelve months of post-secondary education.

Any applicant who satisfies Saskatchewan’s minimum eligibility requirements, including earning at least 60 points according to the Points Assessment Grid, can submit an EOI profile. Then, submitted profiles are considered in an EOI draw run by SINP. In SINP EOI drawings, only applicants with the most competitive SINP scores and in-demand professions are invited.

Candidates who qualify for Express Entry can apply to the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream to have their application for permanent residency processed more quickly. However, people who cannot submit an Express Entry profile can still apply through the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand stream.

2. Alberta’s Express Entry Stream

Alberta province has some thriving cities, such as Edmonton and Calgary. This is Canada’s western province with great job opportunities and an education system. From the federal Express Entry pool, candidates are chosen by the Alberta Express Entry stream to submit applications for provincial nomination. The fact that this stream accepts Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300 means that more applicants will have an opportunity to hear from the province and get a Notification of Interest.

It is important to note that receiving an invitation from Alberta’s Express Entry stream does not require a CRS score of 300 or above. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Programme does not disclose the extra targeted criteria; however, it does disclose the CRS score of the lowest-ranking applicant from each round of invites. The upcoming elements could improve a candidate’s chances:

● Alberta’s Express Entry stream uses the federal Express Entry system.

● To qualify, a relative must be a permanent resident or citizen living in Alberta.

● Have a job offer or professional experience there, and have finished their postsecondary education.

Thus, obtaining a provincial nomination will raise a candidate’s CRS score by 600 points, ensuring they will be offered a PR Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the upcoming Express Entry draw.

3. Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream

Ontario is the most popular immigration destination in Canada, and many newcomers are lured to the vibrant metropolis of Toronto and its expanding tech employment market. As a result, the province must assist many immigrants through PNP routes.

Ontario wants to bring in even more immigrants despite having one of the highest immigrant quotas in the provinces. Ontario’s workforce Minister Monte McNaughton recently proposed to quadruple the number of immigrants permitted under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) from 9,000 to 18,000 people to aid the province’s workforce shortfall.

The Ontario Human Capital Priorities stream is a wonderful choice for people who reside elsewhere in Canada. This stream prioritizes qualified candidates who can fill skilled employment vacancies throughout the province.

The federal Express Entry system is also used by the Human Capital Priorities. A current Express Entry profile featuring a CRS score of 400 points or above is required for prospective applicants. Ontario examines all Express Entry profiles and selects a subset to send invitations to submit applications to the PNP. These invitations are often based on a set of NOC codes and a specific CRS range.

A total of 3,513 applicants were nominated by Ontario in 2021 for their Human Capital Priorities stream. About half of these nominees received invitations through OINP’s specialized tech draw. For French-Speaking Skilled Workers that have profiles in the Express Entry pool, Ontario additionally has a PNP route.

4. Nova Scotia’s Labor Market Priorities Stream

The province of Nova Scotia is situated on the Atlantic Ocean’s eastern boundary of Canada. The province is a dream location for many potential newcomers due to its proximity to the seaside, affordable expenses for living, and comfortable lifestyle.

The Express Entry pool also chooses candidates directly under Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities. This stream is considered one of the simpler PNPs for international candidates to receive PR because it frequently attracts profiles without a link to the province.

Before it’s admission rounds, Nova Scotia does not disclose the industries or selection criteria it would be using, but it frequently invites applicants without any ties to the province. Candidates must express interest in Nova Scotia and have a current Express Entry profile.

Candidates invited by Nova Scotia may apply for the potential to obtain a provincial nomination. Successful candidates gain an additional 600 points toward their CRS score because the stream also uses the Express Entry mechanism. With these extra points, receiving a Request to Apply (ITA) in a federal Express Entry draw is almost guaranteed.

Don’t Know What PNP Is Best For You? We Help You!

We know it can be challenging to select the right immigration program for you from the more than 80 PNPs available. It cannot be easy to know where to begin because the simplest province in Canada to get PR will often rely on your unique profile. If you have confusion regarding PNP, come to us.

Career Overseas is the best immigration consultant in Chandigarh with a great track record of 1500+ successful visa applications. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the PNPs for Canada or other immigration options.