JUST IN: UK government opens up on category of Nigerian students and others allowed to bring their families
The United Kingdom government has said that only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies were eligible to bring in dependents to the country.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery made this disclosure in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.
Recall that on January 2, 2024, the UK commenced the implementation of its dependent visa ban which prohibits Nigerian students and other foreigners from bringing family members.
Speaking on Sunday, Montgomery said that, the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependents into the UK to curb the increase of foreign students bringing in dependents.
The envoy pointed out that the huge surge in dependence was putting an unsustainable pressure on many universities, adding that, it was the reason these changes were introduced.
According to him, before his posting as High Commissioner to Nigeria, he had spoken to some of these universities on the policy change, which had been in the pipeline for some time.
Montgomery noted that the universities Chancellors had 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 dependents.
According to him, the restrictions do not apply to all categories, adding that those doing a long term research degree, like a PhD, or doctorate were not affected.
“Those coming to the UK for doctorate can still bring their dependency 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,” he added.
