UK Visa Approvals for Nepalese Students Surge by 65%
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The UK granted over 432,000 sponsored student visas to international students as main applicants in the year ending 2024, a 13 per cent decrease compared to the year ending March 2023, according to a recent report.
The report recommended that institutions focus on accessing emerging student populations, as the policy banning dependents continues to contribute to the decline in international student numbers.
It highlighted that Nepal is on the verge of reshaping the global landscape of international students, noting, “They are certainly keen on the UK.”
The study found that the number of Indian students going to the UK decreased by 23% year-on-year, while the number of Nigerian students receiving study visas for the financial year up to June dropped by 46%.
However, between January and June 2024, there was a surge in demand from Pakistani and Nepali students, with both groups increasing by more than 30% compared to the same period in the previous year.
A total of 33,585 Pakistani students were granted study visas, making the UK the third most popular destination for international students, surpassing Nigeria.
ApplyBoard observed that although overall study visas granted have been declining, this is likely “only the tip of the iceberg.” The majority of study visas are typically issued in the third quarter, coinciding with the start of the new academic year, making the coming months critical.
The rate of visa denials and rejections showed a minimal increase, with the refusal rate for sponsored study visas for main applicants remaining at 4% for the year ending June 2024, according to the report.
“We therefore conclude that refusals constituted a very small part of the overall decline in student visas,” the report added.
It also noted a sharp rise in withdrawn applications following the UK’s announcement that international students on taught master’s programmes would no longer be allowed to bring dependents with them. During this period, over 6,000 main applicants withdrew their sponsored study visa applications, a 279% increase compared to 2023.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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