UK Sees Major Decline in Foreign Student Visa Applications

New immigration rules have led to a significant drop in international student visas, raising concerns about the financial stability of UK universities.

Student visa applications fell by 16% between July and September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with only 263,400 applications submitted.
The number of visas issued for students' dependants plummeted by 89%, following a ban on most international students bringing family members.
Universities are facing financial challenges due to the decline in international students, combined with frozen domestic tuition fees.
The Conservative government previously set a target to attract 600,000 foreign students annually by 2030, a goal initially achieved in 2020/21.
Labour is under pressure to address the financial shortfall in higher education, with calls for increased domestic tuition fees and government funding.