Recent Home Office statistics reveal a notable decline in Indian students applying for higher education in the UK, despite Indians remaining the top group for student visa grants. According to the data, there has been a 23 percent drop in the number of Indian students coming to the UK for higher studies over the past year, ending in June 2024. This reduction is seen as an early sign of the impact of stricter migration controls, particularly new restrictions on the ability of student visa holders to bring dependent family members.
In the past year, the UK granted 110,006 study visas to Indian nationals, accounting for 25 percent of all such visas. This figure represents a decrease of 32,687 visas compared to the previous year. While Indian students continue to dominate the Graduate Route visa, which allows them to work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree, the overall number of Indian students has fallen. This decline follows similar trends among Nigerian students, who also saw a significant reduction in visa grants.
The India-UK Young Professionals Scheme, which facilitates a two-year work and living arrangement for young graduates between the two countries, saw only 2,234 Indian nationals participate since its launch in February last year, falling short of the annual cap of 3,000 visas.
Indian students represent nearly half of all Graduate Route visa extensions granted, with 67,529 students granted leave to remain under this category. Despite this, UK universities are facing financial pressures, partly due to the higher fees paid by overseas students, and the decrease in Indian student numbers is causing concern.
The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK has expressed worries that the recent review of the Graduate Route visa, which only concluded in May, may have discouraged potential applicants. NISAU chair Sanam Arora emphasized the need to dispel any uncertainty regarding the UK’s stance on international students and reassure Indian students that the UK remains a welcoming destination.
Meanwhile, Indian nationals continue to lead in the issuance of UK Visitor Visas, accounting for 25 percent of grants, with Chinese nationals following at 24 percent. However, changes in work visa categories, including increased income thresholds and restrictions on dependents under the Health and Care Visa, have also contributed to a decline in foreign workers, including Indians, coming to the UK.
Recent data shows a dramatic 81 percent decrease in Health and Care Worker visas granted, from 35,470 in the same period last year to 6,564. Although grants for other work visa categories, including Skilled Worker visas, increased by 79 percent since 2021, they fell by 3 percent in the latest year.
The UK government has initiated an independent review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) focusing on IT and engineering sectors, with Indian IT professionals expected to be affected. Seema Malhotra, the Indian-origin minister for migration and citizenship, criticized the previous Conservative government’s handling of immigration and highlighted the need for better domestic training to reduce reliance on foreign workers.
