What Are The New Rules For International Students In The UK?
International students in the UK face new rules, including how long they can stay in the UK, restrictions on dependents and language proficiency requirements.
New rules have already been introduced for international students in the last 2 years, but further changes may be on the way, including reducing the period that students are able to stay in the UK after graduating.
If you are an international student heading back to your home country (temporarily or for good), get in touch with The Box Co. With affordable storage and low-cost international shipping to over 150 countries, we can help make your move as simple as possible.
What New Rules do International Students Coming to the UK Need to be Aware of?
Dependents:
There are new rules for international students when it comes to dependents.
Since January 2024, international students are no longer able to bring their family members to the UK on their student visa, including partners or children.
Certain exceptions apply; for example, if they are studying research-based courses above degree level (such as PhDs and research-based Master’s degrees).
They must also be on government-funded scholarships. For these students, their partners and children are permitted to come into the UK on the student visa but must pay the application fee and immigration health surcharge to have their visa approved.
Graduate visas:
The Graduate visa previously allowed international students a period of two years after graduation to stay in the UK and work. However, new rules have shortened this period to 18 months.
PhD students will be able to stay for 3 years following graduation on the Graduate visa but for those with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, this visa will now only entitle them to stay 18 months in the UK after graduation.
Within the 18 months, there are no further requirements such as a job offer or a minimum salary, so there is still an element of flexibility. Graduates can work for any employer and at any skill level.
Stricter compliance for universities:
Another change impacting international students is the clampdown on educational institutions when it comes to compliance requirements.
Universities will now face stricter compliance checks, making it harder for them to bring international students to the UK. They’ll have a new rating system that will closely assess their performance in visa sponsorships and student outcomes.
English language students:
For international students coming to the UK to learn English, they will face stricter entry requirements, including a genuineness test. The test is designed to prove that they are genuinely entering the UK solely for the purpose of studying the course.
It will include assessing previous immigration history, financial stability, duration of stay, ties to home country and intention to leave at the end of the course.
In addition, they will need to be studying at a private, accredited institution, not at a state institution.
Which International Students in the UK do the New Rules Affect?
For international students who started a course in the UK before 1st January 2024, theirs and their family’s rights to remain in the UK are unaffected - if the family is already there.
However, plans for the family to come after that date are no longer possible.
Can International Students Work While Studying in the UK?
International students can work while studying in the UK however only with a fixed-term contract (the job has an end date).
They are limited to how many hours they work during term time (10 hours a week for courses below degree level, up to 20 hours a week for courses at degree level or above) to demonstrate commitment to their learning. Outside of term time, they can have a full-time job.
They cannot work on a self-employed basis, nor start or run a business. Other jobs they are unable to do include: professional athletes, sports coaches, entertainers, doctors or dentists in training.
Can International Students in the UK Travel while Studying?
As their main responsibility of being in the UK is to study, international students should not travel during term time unless there is an emergency. However, travelling during the weekends or outside of term time is allowed.
International students on a visa do not have the same travel rights as UK citizens or permanent residents so they will still need to apply for all the relevant visas when travelling around Europe and the UK.
If you’re an international student looking to travel while studying in the UK, a flexible student storage solution could make it easier.
That way, you can store your stuff safely and securely, getting it picked up straight from ,your uni accommodation and right back to you as soon as you need it. And with The Box Co. you only pay for storage by the box so it works as a cheap way to keep your stuff safe while you’re travelling.
Moving Back Home After Studying in the UK
If your graduate visa is coming to an end, planning the trip back home can be overwhelming. That’s why, at The Box Co., we make it as easy as possible!
We’ll collect your boxes straight from your Uni accommodation or other address in the UK and ship them to over 150 countries across the globe - with no need to go to a drop-off point, find a courier or fill in loads of confusing forms.
However much stuff you’re sending, we’ll make sure that everything gets where it needs to - quickly and affordably. Contact us today or use our quick quote tool to see how affordably we can get your items back home.
