Recent data from the UK Home Office indicates a significant 38% decline in study visas issued to Nigerians between March 2023 and March 2024. This decline is particularly noteworthy as Nigeria, along with India, constitutes one of the UK’s primary markets for study visas.
Study Visa Trends for India and Nigeria
The report highlights a 16% decrease in study visas issued to applicants from India within the same period. These trends reflect broader changes in visa applications and issuances, driven by various factors such as policy shifts and global conditions.
Key Findings from the Report
- Main Applicant Visas: There was a 6% year-over-year decline in visas issued to main applicants (excluding dependents) and a 10% drop compared to the peak in June 2023.
- Visa Issuance Trends: The data suggests shifting patterns in international mobility and the landscape of study visas in the UK. There has been a notable interaction between the growth of main applicant visas and the varying numbers of dependent visas.
Detailed Visa Statistics
The Home Office reported a post-pandemic surge in visa issuances, peaking at 498,626 in the year ending June 2023. This number slightly decreased to 446,924 in the following year. For the year ending March 2024:
- Dependent Visas: 111,481 visas were issued to student dependents, representing a 25% decrease from the previous year but still nearly seven times higher than in 2019.
- Dependents vs. Main Applicants: The number of dependents had grown faster than main applicants, with a peak in March 2023 of roughly three dependents for every ten main applicants. However, both categories have since declined, with a sharper decrease for dependents in early 2024. Dependents constituted 20% of sponsored study visas.
Graduate and Undergraduate Study Visas
- Graduate Studies: A significant majority (66%) of study visas were issued to graduate students in the year ending March 2024.
- Undergraduate Studies: Another 25% of the visas were granted to undergraduate students.
Implications of the Decline
The slight decline in visa issuances through March might indicate a broader trend. The Home Office previously reported a 44% drop in study visa applications in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year. This downturn follows years of significant growth in visa volumes since 2016, which also saw an increase in visas for dependents.
Summary of Visa Trends from 2019 to 2024
- Nigerian Applicants:
- March 2019: Approximately 10,000 visas issued.
- March 2023: The number of visas rose to about 50,000, marking a fivefold increase from 2019.
- March 2024: A slight decline to around 45,000 visas issued.
The report illustrates a nuanced picture of international student mobility, influenced by various economic and policy factors, highlighting the evolving landscape of study visas in the UK.
