France has joined other countries that have imposed immigration restrictions on international students (including Nigerians) with new legislation that will stop them from bringing their families to the country.
The law passed by the parliament on Friday provides a new toughening immigration policy that makes it more difficult for migrants to bring family members to France and delays their access to welfare benefits.
It also banned detaining minors in detention centres while leaders of a third of French regions said they would not comply with certain measures in the law.
A controversial provision discriminates between citizens and migrants, even those living in the country legally, in determining eligibility for benefits.
This new immigration policy means that just like the United Kingdom which imposed a no-dependant restriction on international students in May, Nigerian students are expected to look elsewhere for their Japa plans.
The UK government’s decision came in response to the alarming surge in net migration, which has reached a staggering one million individuals.
A situation that meant Conservative MPs had to call on the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to address urgently and regain control over immigration figures.
Already, Nigerian students, who have been among the largest contributors to the UK’s international student community, have started to look at other alternatives in the Europe zone with France considered. But with this new development, their options are shrinking.
The other route – skilled worker visa, seen as a better option to the UK, has experienced some reshuffling as well.
Earlier in December, new Home Secretary, James Cleverly, unveiled a set of new rules that raised the minimum salary requirement for obtaining a skilled worker visa from £26,000 to £38,700.
