Islamabad– The United Kingdom is reportedly preparing to tighten student visa rules for applicants from Pakistan and several other countries amid rising concerns that many use educational visas as a pathway to seek asylum. The move is part of the Keir Starmer-led government’s broader effort to reduce annual net migration and crack down on visa misuse.
The decision, expected to be outlined in a forthcoming policy document or White Paper later this week, follows growing public dissatisfaction with illegal immigration among Labour Party voters. Net migration to the UK reached an estimated 728,000 people in the year ending June 2023, prompting calls for stricter immigration controls.
According to preliminary details, the UK government will target countries whose nationals are most likely to apply for asylum after entering on student, work, or visitor visas. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria are expected to be among the primary countries affected by the new restrictions.
Of the approximately 108,000 asylum applications filed in the UK last year, at least 16,000 came from individuals who originally entered the country on student visas. A significant number of these applicants were from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria, according to UK government sources.
“People from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka were the most likely to claim asylum in Britain after arriving on a work, student, or visitor visa,” the British government stated.
The anticipated policy change is likely to impact thousands of Pakistani students who view the UK as a prime destination for higher education. Many use student and visitor visas not only to pursue academic opportunities but also as a potential route to remain in the UK long-term.
Pakistani nationals have faced criticism in the past for misusing visa categories in multiple countries, including the United States and Canada, with some individuals seeking asylum after their visas expire. The UK government’s planned action appears to be a direct response to such patterns of migration.
If enacted, the restrictions could significantly reshape educational and travel opportunities for Pakistani students and professionals, while also marking a tougher stance by the UK on immigration control. (Source: IANS)
