Female Afghan Students From the new academic year, the Scottish Government will provide an exception to our residency criteria to extend support to female Afghan students who have been prevented from continuing their studies in Afghanistan due to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban regime and have been granted a student visa by the Home Office in order to complete their Higher Education in Scotland. This change is made in recognition of the unique position these students are experiencing as a result of the Taliban policy of discrimination, placing an indefinite ban on women and girls entering and undertaking secondary or tertiary education, and in the expectation that these students may, if able to undertake their Higher Education in Scotland, enter and contribute to Scotland’s cultural and economic benefit.