International student news and updates

Summary of important immigration news and changes affecting international students
International student news and updates

This information will be updated monthly with news and updates for international students.

Any questions, please contact the ISA team:

We are also available for in-person sessions at the Student Hub in the Charles Seale-Hayne Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 09:30–10:30 (no need to book).

Latest immigration news

Bringing your dependants to the UK
Some international students can bring family members (children/partner) to the UK or invite them over later. Find out more about bringing family to the UK on a Student visa.

From 25 July 2023, if you applying to bring dependants to the UK under the Student, Graduate, or Skilled Worker routes, the requirements about your relationship will change.
Previously, the relationship requirements for these routes were specific to each route (the Student route, the Graduate route, and Skilled Worker route). From 25 July 2023, the requirements will be housed in a central part of the rules: Appendix Relationship with Partner. The majority of the requirements will remain the same. However, there will be some differences that may need to be taken into consideration and it will be important to familiarise yourself with these requirements before you apply.
The UKCISA dependants webpage will be updated to reflect these changes soon.
Ukraine immigration schemes
On 29 March, the UK Government published legislation that brings into force three schemes to support Ukrainian nationals and their families:
  • Ukraine Extension Scheme for people who are already in the UK
  • Homes for Ukraine for people who are outside the UK
  • Family scheme for people inside and outside the UK
Full details on the Ukraine immigration schemes can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website. The University ISA team is unable to offer specific advice on these schemes but will certainly try to guide and support you.
Reminder of working conditions as a Student Visa holder
It is a great idea to work part-time alongside your studies if you want to improve your spoken English, gain confidence and earn a few pounds spending money. 
It is also a great idea to refresh your mind on the conditions and restrictions of your Student visa. We are here to help you understand these restrictions so you don’t accidentally break the rules.
If you are studying at degree level, you will have a maximum number of hours you can work during term-time – usually 20 hours per week – but please check your visa.
If you work more than 20 hours in any one week during term time, you will be breaching your visa conditions and this could prevent you from obtaining a new visa in the future or completing your studies.
If you are a postgraduate taught student, the dissertation period is not a holiday period and you are expected to be working on your dissertation and meeting your dissertation supervisor regularly. In the dissertation period, your term-time working restrictions still apply and you must not work full-time.
There has been a rise in instances of international students being strongly encouraged to work more than the hours permitted. Please do not feel pressured into this. Contact us as soon as you can if you are being asked to do something which you feel is wrong. We are here to support you and you can speak to us in confidence.
Graduate visa Zoom information sessions
Are you thinking about working in the UK after you have successfully completed your degree at the University of Plymouth? Do you want to find out more about the Graduate Visa?
If yes, we are running online information sessions which are bookable at myCareer – sign in with your student log in and then type in ‘Let’s talk about the Graduate Visa’ in the search box. 
Changes affecting the Start-up route
The Start-up route is scheduled to close on 13 July 2023. Applicants will only be able to apply under the route with a valid endorsement that is issued before 13 April 2023.
Changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme
For applications made on or after 29 June 2023, the following changes apply:
  • The age range for New Zealand nationals who are eligible for the scheme is increasing to 18–35.
  • The length of stay for New Zealand nationals is increasing to three years.
New Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs)
From October 2023, the UK will gradually start to require certain visitors to the UK to obtain Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) before travelling to the UK. This will start with only a few nationalities and the scheme will be expanded over time. Those applying for Student visas will not need an ETA. We will update this information to reflect these changes soon.