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UK may restrict Pakistani students over asylum concerns, as the British government considers new visa policies to reduce rising net migration levels.
According to a government official, students from countries including Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka – seen as more likely to claim asylum – could face stricter visa rules.
The move follows poor local election results for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, largely blamed on growing voter frustration over immigration issues.
A new Immigration White Paper is expected to be published next week, outlining plans to fix what the Home Office described as a “broken immigration system.”
Government data revealed 16,000 out of 108,000 asylum seekers last year had entered the UK on student visas, although no breakdown of nationalities was provided.
However, officials said most post-visa asylum claims were made by nationals from Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, often after entering via work, student or visitor permits.
The UK recorded 728,000 net migrants in the year leading to June 2023, triggering criticism from both opposition parties and within Labour’s own ranks.
Labour MPs, especially from traditional working-class regions known as the “Red Wall,” have demanded tougher action to cut immigration and prevent system abuse.
Jo White, a Red Wall MP, urged the government to stop “pussyfooting around” and take firmer control over border policies to win back public trust.
Legal immigration has been a hot topic in UK politics, especially since the 2016 Brexit referendum, which saw many voters demanding stricter border control.
Officials stressed that the planned visa restrictions would be “targeted,” and not affect genuine international students who return home after completing their studies.
The Home Office added that reforms aim to protect the integrity of the visa system while addressing public concerns about unchecked migration.
Universities UK has warned that tightening rules may affect higher education institutions that rely on international students for funding and diversity.
