LONDON (Kashmir English): The UK government is mulling restrictions on student visa applications from Pakistan and other countries such as Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, fearing the nationals might essentially claim asylum after arrival.
The UK government fear that nationals from these countries are reportedly more likely to claim asylum after arrival, according to official sources.
The decision is part of a broader plan to limit net migration, which reached 728,000 in the year ending June 2024.
A new Immigration White Paper, most likely coming next week, will detail strategies to overhaul the European country’s immigration system and address public concerns following Labour’s poor performance in recent local elections.
16,000 asylum seekers in 2024 entered UK on student visas
According to UK government data, 16,000 of the 108,000 asylum seekers in 2024 initially entered the country on student visas.
While country-wise figures for these claimants are not released, officials cited Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria as top nations of origin among visa switchers.
According to the Home Office, the upcoming plan would restore order to a “broken immigration system.”
Jo White, a Labour MP, representing Red Wall constituencies, urged the authorities to take stronger action to curb migration, reflecting voter frustration.
Immigration remains a contentious political issue in Britain and was a prime concern during the 2016 Brexit referendum.
