RESTRICTIONS on visa routes came into force under new government migration policies yesterday, as the Home Secretary announced an end to overseas students bringing families to Britain.

The measures were announced in May by James Cleverly’s ousted predecessor Suella Braverman and means that international students starting courses in Britain are no longer allowed to obtain visas for their dependents.

The move affects all but those on postgraduate research courses and with government-funded scholarships.

It is the second government policy recently criticised for tearing families apart following the announcement of a salary threshold hike for people bringing in their foreign spouses.

Higher Education Policy Institute think tank director Nick Hillman said: “International students benefit Britain in all sorts of ways.

“For example, they are vital to maintaining our world-class university sector as their fees cross-subsidise the teaching of home students and also help to fund research.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the announcement showed that the government was “already delivering for the British people” in 2024.

Labour has backed the restrictions but said they do not go far enough.

In the year ending September 2023, just 152,980 visas were issued to dependants of students.