New Rules Target Work and Study Visa Abuse
The UK government plans to tighten visa rules for people from countries with high overstay rates. According to The Times, nationals from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka may face tougher restrictions. Officials say many individuals arrive on legal work or study visas but later file for asylum to stay in the UK permanently.
A Home Office spokesperson said the upcoming Immigration White Paper will provide a full plan to fix what they call a “broken immigration system.”
Asylum Claims Raise Concerns
Government data shows 99,790 asylum claims in the year ending September 2024. Pakistani nationals led the numbers with 9,560 claims, nearly double the previous year. Ministers say the policy targets those who switch from student or work visas to asylum applications without genuine need.
Many asylum seekers sell their belongings before travelling, expecting to settle permanently. While these claims gain attention, the Home Office has not released exit-check statistics since 2020, citing concerns over data accuracy.
Experts Warn of Limited Impact
Professor Jonathan Portes from the think tank UK in a Changing Europe believes the policy may have minimal effect on overall asylum numbers.
“This move seems more symbolic,” Portes said. “It’s aimed at preventing people from abusing the visa system rather than reducing numbers dramatically.”
Labour Faces Pressure After Reform UK Gains
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to reduce both legal and illegal migration. However, he has refused to set a net migration target, calling previous caps ineffective.
After Reform UK gained 677 local seats last week, pressure mounted on Labour to act. Reform has proposed a freeze on all non-essential immigration, allowing only essential workers such as healthcare professionals.
Student and Work Visa Stats
In 2023/24, the UK hosted 732,285 international students, with India (107,480) and China (98,400) leading. Many sectors still rely on foreign talent, especially healthcare and tech.
The Conservative government under Rishi Sunak previously raised the salary threshold for skilled workers and barred care workers from bringing dependents. Those changes contributed to a drop in net migration, from 906,000 (June 2023) to 728,000 (June 2024).
What’s Next?
The Home Office confirmed that further visa controls are being drafted. The upcoming Immigration White Paper, due later this May, will outline how the UK plans to manage migration trends and reduce system abuse.
Officials say they will act swiftly if they detect patterns that undermine immigration rules.
