NEARLY 65,000 Nigerians got student dependant visas in the past year, the most from any country.
It was more than double the 27,000 student family members who were let in from there in 2021.
Robert Jenrick said postgrad students no longer being able to bring family to the UK would have a ‘tangible effect’ on numbers
The second highest number of visas last year went to family of Indian nationals — at 42,500.
In all, 135,788 visas were granted to dependants of students last year, up 750 per cent since 2019, the Home Office data reveals.
Study visas overall were up 34 per cent to 632,000.
The huge numbers have forced a crackdown.
Previously, foreign masters students could bring partners and children and stay for two years after their courses ended.
Now postgrad students on non-research courses will be no longer able to bring family to the UK.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said it would have a “tangible effect” on numbers.
But Prof Brian Bell, of the migration advisory committee, told Times Radio the impact would be limited.
Curbs are for courses starting after January.
