The British government is considering restricting student visa applications from countries with high asylum claim rates—such as Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka—as part of a broader effort to cut net migration, a government official has said.
The possible policy change comes on the heels of last week’s local elections in England, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party faced backlash from voters frustrated over immigration and other domestic issues.
A policy document known as a “white paper” is expected to be released next week, outlining the government’s plan to lower net migration. Official figures show that net migration to the UK reached 728,000 in the 12 months leading up to June 2023.
“Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system,” said the Home Office in a statement.
Immigration has remained a central political issue in Britain for years and played a key role in the 2016 Brexit vote. Recent government data reveals that 108,000 people applied for asylum in the UK last year, 16,000 of whom had entered the country on student visas. The report does not specify the nationalities of these students.
However, officials have identified Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka as the most common countries of origin for people who later seek asylum after arriving on work, student, or visitor visas.
Following Labour’s disappointing election performance, several party members have urged stronger action on immigration. Jo White, a member of parliament representing Labour’s so-called “Red Wall” areas, called for the government to stop “pussyfooting around” and take a tougher stance.
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