*As the UK Government moves to implement migration reforms, Nigerians and other international students interested in pursuing educational attainments in the country face tougher times in residency requirement for settlement, and shortened Graduate Route Visa duration

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

As the United Kingdom (UK) Government moves to implement its far-reaching legal migration reforms, Nigerians and other international students interested in pursuing educational attainments in the country may face tougher timesSome Nigerian Students in un.

绿帽献妻 reports the UK Government is set to tighten immigration rules, and increase residency requirements as one of the key elements contained in the 10-point White Paper released in London recently.

Britain is set to tighten immigration rules, and international students and universities will be affected in the process, The Economic Times also report said.

It stated: 鈥淎 levy on tuition fees is planned. The residency requirement for settlement will increase. “The Graduate Route visa duration will be shortened.鈥�

The UK Government, according to the report, aims to reduce net migration; hence, these changes seek a more controlled immigration system.

The government, therefore, is apparently prepared to apply stricter immigration policies that will directly impact Nigerians, other international students and universities.

It is also noted that these changes constitute part of a broader effort at reducing annual net migration by 100,000, as per the White Paper the Home Office unveiled lately.

On 6 percent levy on tuition for international students

Report reveals a total of 18,900 Nigerians were issued study visas, in 2024, in the UK.

This figure represents a decrease, compared to previous years, with a significant drop of 43 percent in the first six months of the year alone. The number of 鈥渕ain applicant鈥� student visas granted to Nigerians in the first six months of 2024 was 4,669, compared to 14,772 in the corresponding period in 2023, report said.

Besides, the UK Government鈥檚 significant measure is the introduction of a six percent levy on tuition fees paid by international students.

The estimates from Universities UK indicated that universities would be required to pay this levy to the government, potentially raising an estimated 拢600 million (about N1.3 trillion) per year, according to report.

It was learnt the proposed levy is intended to shift financial responsibility for migration away from the taxpayer, and towards the institutions that benefit economically from international enrolments.

Currently, foreign nationals can apply for permanent settlement in the UK after five years. Under the new policy, the minimum residency requirement will double to 10 years.

This move will affect around 1.5 million people, and is intended to reduce the number of migrants permanently settling in the UK, The Times report also said.

The major change includes the reduction of the Graduate Route visa duration from two years to 18 months.

This visa allows international students to remain in the UK after completing their studies to find graduate-level work.

However, under the new rule, if such graduates are unable to secure suitable employment within this shortened period, they will be required to leave the country.

Universities across the UK have raised concerns that these changes could hurt their competitiveness.

Several institutions, report further noted, rely on revenue from overseas students to fund operations and research, especially as domestic funding remains limited.

In all the fresh changes are expected to force universities to re-evaluate recruitment strategies and financial planning in the UK.

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