UK: Only PhD students eligible to bring dependants

The United Kingdom (UK) says only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies are eligible to bring in dependants to the country.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, made this known in Abuja on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Montgomery said the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependants into the UK was to curb the increase of foreign students bringing in dependants.

He explained that the huge surge in dependence was putting unsustainable pressure on many universities, adding that it was the reason the changes were introduced.

Montgomery, in an interview with NAN, noted that before his posting as High Commissioner to Nigeria, he had spoken to some universities on the policy change, which he said had been in the pipeline for some time.

He said the universities’ Chancellors complained of the huge student populations’ highlighting that accommodation was a huge challenge, access to medical services under the National Health Service, and access to school if they brought in dependants.

UK bans Nigerian doctors, nurses from bringing dependants

He said the restrictions did not apply to all categories, adding that those doing a long-term research degree, like a PhD, or doctorate were not affected.

Montgomery said: “Those coming to the UK for doctorate can still bring their dependants but if you are coming to the UK with a study visa for an undergraduate degree, or short-term master’s degree am afraid the rules have been changed.

“People need to understand why this change was brought in, and it is a sensible change because we have a large higher education sector and most of these universities are in towns across the country.

“There has been a surge recently in demand for British education and I can give you the macro figures and there has also been a huge increase in foreign students bringing their dependants.

“In the case of Nigeria, in 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, there were only one and a half thousand dependants being brought in from Nigeria, with those on study visas.

“In 2022, that figure increased to 52,000 dependants. So that’s a thirty-fold increase in dependence. And it’s not just about Nigeria by the way.

“It is also about all foreign students. We saw similar rises; for example, amongst Indian students coming to study in the UK.”

The Star