International Students: Immigrant Status And Education

International students are individuals who choose to pursue their education in a country other than their own. The topic of whether or not international students are considered immigrants is a highly debated one, especially in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. While some people argue that international students should be classified as immigrants, others believe that they are nonimmigrant visitors in their host country for a specific purpose – education.

Are international students considered immigrants?

International students in the UK are considered immigrants, which keeps overall immigration numbers low

The classification of international students as immigrants is a highly contested issue in the UK. Former Prime Minister Theresa May has historically supported counting international students as immigrants, which has contributed to a perception of the UK as a hostile environment for international students. This stance has been criticised by other politicians, including those from May's Conservative party, who argue that students are a distinct category and should not be included in immigration statistics.

The inclusion of international students in immigration numbers has significant implications for overall immigration figures. By defining international students as immigrants, the UK government can effectively lower the number of non-student immigrants entering the country. This approach aligns with May's aim to maintain low immigration numbers, particularly following Brexit.

However, it is important to note that international students are typically considered a temporary population. Research suggests that the majority of international students leave the UK after completing their studies. For instance, new exit checks revealed that 97% of international students depart the UK upon graduation, contrary to previous estimates that tens of thousands remained illegally.

While the UK's tough immigration stance may deter some international students, the country remains a top destination for higher education. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were approximately 758,855 overseas students in UK universities, contributing significantly to the economy through tuition fees and other expenditures. The UK government has set ambitious targets for international student recruitment, aiming for at least 600,000 students per year by 2030, a goal that has already been achieved.

In conclusion, the classification of international students as immigrants in the UK has been a strategic approach to manage overall immigration numbers. While this policy has drawn criticism and may impact the UK's attractiveness to international students, the country continues to be a leading choice for higher education globally.

97% of international students leave the UK after graduating, reducing immigration numbers

The UK considers international students as immigrants, which has led to a perception of the country as a hostile environment for international students. Former Prime Minister Theresa May's tough immigration policy was a cornerstone of the Brexit referendum. By defining international students as immigrants, May was able to keep other immigration numbers low.

However, new evidence suggests that 97% of international students leave the UK after graduating, reducing immigration numbers. This figure was revealed in a government document and described as "experimental data" from the first calendar year of the exit checks program. The data also revealed that the vast majority of people are following immigration rules, and that clampdowns on illegal immigration are working.

The 97% figure is significant because it contradicts previous official immigration statistics, which suggested that tens of thousands of international students remained illegally in the UK after their studies. The new data, based on exit checks at the borders, indicates that the number of immigrants in the country may be lower than previously thought.

The economic impact of international students on the UK economy is substantial. A report from The Economic Times shows that international students from countries like India add over $30 billion to the UK economy annually, with the most recent figure reaching £41.9 billion in 2021/22. This benefit to the country exceeds ten times its cost. In addition, international students help create a diverse learning environment and positively impact local communities.

Despite the positive contributions of international students, there have been concerns about fraud among the onshore international student population. A BBC undercover investigation in 2014 revealed fraud at three separate colleges, leading to a government investigation that claimed thousands of test scores had been obtained fraudulently. As a result, there have been concerns about the potential for international students to overstay their visas and remain in the country illegally. However, recent research suggests that more students have been staying in the country and transitioning onto new visas since 2018, with the introduction of the Graduate visa making it easier for graduating students to remain in the UK for at least two years after completing their studies.

International students in the US are nonimmigrants, as they are there temporarily

The definition of an immigrant is typically a person who leaves their country to settle in another country permanently. The question of permanence is a complicated one, with varying interpretations of how long a person has to be in a new country before they are considered an immigrant.

In the US, international students are considered nonimmigrants, as they are in the country temporarily for a specific purpose—their education. The US government uses the term nonimmigrant to refer to foreign nationals who are admitted to the country on a temporary basis. International students on F-1 visas are considered "non-resident aliens" for tax purposes when they arrive in the US. They will get "resident alien" status after staying in the US for five years. However, they are still limited by their F1 non-immigrant status.

International students in the US are required to present their documentation to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at US ports of entry. They are also required to carry multiple copies of their travel and immigration documents, with one copy left with their family before departing their home country and another given to school officials in the US. International students may also be eligible to transfer to a new school, although the circumstances vary depending on their student status.

International students in the US are considered nonimmigrants due to the temporary nature of their stay. They are required to follow specific rules and regulations to maintain their nonimmigrant status while in the country.

International students in the US are on nonimmigrant visas, which must be changed or departed from

International students in the US are considered nonimmigrants because their sole purpose for being in the country is to complete a program of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. The US government uses the term nonimmigrant to refer to foreign nationals admitted into the country temporarily for a specific purpose. Once a nonimmigrant fulfills their purpose for coming to the United States, they need to either change their status or depart the country.

There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States, commonly known as the F and M visas. The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other non-academic programs, other than language training.

To obtain an F-1 or M-1 visa, international students must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. Their school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Once accepted into a SEVP-certified school, international students will receive a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” This form is a paper record of the student's information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and is required for completing subsequent steps in the international student life cycle.

International students in the US on nonimmigrant visas must change their status or depart the country once they have completed their program of study. This is because their nonimmigrant status is based on their student status, and once they are no longer students, they must either change their visa status or leave the country.

International students in the US are legal resident aliens for tax purposes only

The United States government uses the term "nonimmigrant" to refer to foreign nationals admitted into the country temporarily for a specific purpose. International students are considered nonimmigrants and are typically granted F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas. These visas allow students to pursue their studies in the US for a specified duration, after which they must either change their status or depart the country.

Now, let's focus on the tax implications for international students in the US:

International students in the US on F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas are generally treated as nonresident aliens for tax purposes during their first five calendar years in the country. During this period, they are exempt from Social Security Tax and Medicare Tax on wages earned through on-campus employment, off-campus employment allowed by USCIS, or practical training. This exemption ensures that international students can focus on their studies without the burden of additional taxes.

However, if international students remain in the US beyond five calendar years, they may meet the "substantial presence" test and be classified as resident aliens for tax purposes. The substantial presence test considers the number of days an individual is physically present in the US over a three-year period, including the current year and the two preceding years. If an international student meets this test and becomes a resident alien, they become subject to the same tax laws as US citizens. They must report their worldwide income and file a Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR tax return by April 15.

It is important to note that the tax status of international students can be complex, and there may be exceptions or special circumstances. For example, certain exemptions from Social Security and Medicare taxes exist for students, regardless of their tax residency status, if they are employed by the educational institution they attend. Additionally, international students must comply with specific rules to maintain their legal status in the US, which includes following guidelines for on-campus and off-campus employment.

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