UK Student Visa Applications Drop 16 Percent Amid Policy Changes
· World · Indian Express, Times of India
UK student visa applications fell 16 per cent in the year ending August 2026, with main applicant numbers dropping to 360,700. The government attributes the sharp decline in dependant applications—which fell 88 per cent since December 2023—to new immigration rules that restrict international students from bringing family members. While main applicant numbers showed a slight rise in 2024-25, they have since dropped by 18 per cent in the 2025-26 cycle. Data also reveals a weakening in the traditional August peak for visa applications, which fell from 147,200 in 2023 to 99,500 in 2026. The Home Office states that sponsored study visa applications follow a seasonal pattern with a smaller peak in December.
Why it matters
The policy changes directly impact Indian students and their families, significantly increasing the cost and complexity of pursuing higher education in the UK.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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