Several universities across the United Kingdom have imposed strict new restrictions on applicants from Pakistan and Bangladesh, citing rising visa refusal rates, concerns over potential immigration abuse, and tougher Home Office compliance rules introduced this year.
At least nine UK institutions have confirmed that they have paused or significantly reduced student recruitment from what they classify as “high-risk” countries, in a move aimed at protecting their student sponsor licences—a requirement for enrolling international students.
Universities say they were compelled to take action following a notable rise in the number of students entering the UK on study or work visas who later submitted asylum applications. This trend, institutions warn, has put them at risk of falling short of newly tightened Home Office regulations.
A key factor behind the sudden ban is the new visa refusal threshold introduced in September, which requires universities to maintain refusal rates below 5%—half the previous acceptable limit.
However, the latest UK government data shows that refusal rates remain high among students from Pakistan and Bangladesh:
Pakistan: 18% visa refusal rate
Bangladesh: 22% visa refusal rate
Collectively, both countries now account for nearly 50% of all student visa refusals in the past 12 months.
A growing number of institutions, particularly those in the lower-fee, higher-risk category, have taken pre-emptive measures to avoid penalties or potential loss of their sponsor status.
Names of universities
University of Chester suspended recruitment from Pakistan until autumn 2026 due to an unexpected spike in visa refusals.
University of Wolverhampton halted undergraduate admissions from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
University of East London – stopped accepting undergraduate applicants from both countries.
University of Sunderland and Coventry University introduced similar pauses, citing the need to safeguard compliance.
University of Hertfordshire and Glasgow Caledonian University placed under compliance action plans and paused admissions for certain intakes.
Oxford Brookes, BPP University, and London Metropolitan University temporarily restricted or stopped recruitment from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The restrictions come at a time when UK universities are already facing financial strain due to falling domestic enrolment and dependency on overseas students. Institutions that rely heavily on South Asian markets have been hit particularly hard by the new compliance standards.
Universities warn that unless Home Office rules are relaxed or visa processing becomes more predictable, more institutions could be forced to impose similar bans, potentially reshaping the UK’s international education landscape.
