The web migration figures for non-EU migrants on study-related visas have decreased by 24.7%, new ONS figures show.
- Net migration figures for study-related visas – each scholar and dependant visas – was an estimated 247,000 within the yr ending December 2023
- This is a fall of 24.7% from the estimate of 328,000 in YE December 2022
- Total web migration throughout all visas was a provisional determine of 685,000 in YE December 2023, down 10.3% from the determine on the identical time the earlier yr of 764,000.
Immigration from exterior the EU for work additionally changed research as the principle motive for long-term migration within the YE December 2023, confirmed the Office of National Statistics.
“Although lower than our updated estimate of 764,000 for year ending December 2022, it’s too early to say if this is the start of a new downward trend,” it added.
An estimated 379,000 non-EU nationals got here to the UK on research visas – each students and dependants – within the yr ending December 2023, down from 419,000 in December 2022.
The ONS referred to as the figures “similar”, and likewise made observe of the truth that the figures wouldn’t be affected by authorities bulletins from the final six months.
“This bulletin covers a period before the implementation of changes to government policy on legal migration rules for family-, study- and work- related visas, which came into effect at varying dates from January 2024,” the ONS stated.
Monthly migration statistics introduced on May 22 by the Home Office confirmed that 79% fewer scholar dependant functions have been lodged within the first 4 months of 2024, and greater than “30,000 fewer student visa applications were made between January and April 2024” in contrast with the identical interval in 2023.
In the ONS information, principal candidates – that’s, students – made up virtually three quarters (277,000) of study-related visas, whereas dependants on study-dependant visas stood at 27% within the YE December 2023.
Some 133,000 on study-related visas, be it scholar or dependant, left the nation, a 15.7% enhance on these leaving in YE December 2022. This, coupled with the immigration determine of 379,000, make the web migration determine for these on study-related visas – 247,000.
“Our latest long-term international migration estimates show a recent increase in emigration,” the ONS stated in its overview on study-related visas.
“If previous patterns proceed, we count on to see bigger numbers of students who immigrated because the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic proceed to go away as they full their research.
“However, new government policies introduced in recent years and further announcements of changes to net migration measures could impact the future migration patterns of international students,” it continued.
Elaborating on the truth that work overtook research as the principle motive for immigration in 2023, these migrating on work associated visas made up 47% of the full web migration – the figures have been a rise of 20% on YE December 2022.
“If past patterns continue, we expect to see larger numbers of students who immigrated since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continue to leave”
The ONS
While nationalities on study-related visas weren’t detailed for YE December 2023, it did reference the analysis of the Graduate Route performed by the Migration Advisory Committee, which stated Indian nationals account for 42% of all graduate visas issued.
The web migration figures come after the overview by MAC delivered on May 14, which advisable keeping the Graduate Route in its present type.
The sector has been ready for the federal government’s response to the fast overview, which some thought would nonetheless see PM Rishi Sunak “bring down the hammer” on the route, with others more optimistic and saying he would “have to listen” to the Committee’s suggestions.
Nothing has been stated by the federal government particularly in response to the overview on the time of writing.
The Home Secretary in his announcement of migration statistics on May 22 stated that the Home Office will “continue to keep these measures under close review and if needed, we will not hesitate to go further”.
On May 22, Sunak made a shock announcement {that a} snap normal election could be happening on July 4, prompting questions of when a response to the MAC overview may very well seem.
The information doesn’t apply to EU nationals, because the ONS stated at this stage “in our research, we can only apply our methods to non-EU nationals”.