The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) has led to monumental policy changes in the country. While the UK officially left the EU on January 31, 2020, its people had voted in favour of leaving the EU in 2016. Since then various discussions and negotiations on different issues concerning the exit, commonly called Brexit, have taken place. Many sectors have been affected by Britain’s withdrawal from the EU—foreign as well as security policies, trade, travel, and financial services are some of them. Adapting to the changes, the UK has revamped or changed many of its policies, which has had immediate implications for several stakeholders. Meanwhile, the effect on existing and aspiring foreign students is certainly on the cards.
For international students, the situation has changed significantly. Students from EU member countries will now face different visa, travel, and employment restrictions, as their freedom to work and study in the UK would cease. However, Brexit is slated to benefit the student community from India and other Asian countries, who study or aspire to study in the UK. Post-Brexit UK’s immigration policy is also bound to change. As the changes unfold, it becomes important to look into the new situation that the international student community will find itself in.