The number of international students applying to study in the UK has fallen by 16% compared to last year. Home Office data shows that from January to September 2024, there were 350,700 Sponsored Study visa applications, 49,000 fewer than the same period in 2023. The decline is particularly noticeable from July to September 2024, a peak season for visa applications.
𝐔𝐊 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
New rules introduced in 2024 banning international students from bringing dependents, except for research students or those with government scholarships, have significantly impacted dependent visa applications. Applications from dependents have decreased by 85%, with only 17,800 applications this year compared to 2023.
𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗞 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰
Despite the decrease in applications, the UK remains a top destination for international students, with a record 758,855 students last year.