The United Kingdom is planning to tighten visa rules for nationals deemed most likely to overstay or claim asylum, it was reported on Tuesday.
According to The Times of London, the Home Office is expected to reduce the number of student and work visa applications from countries including Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.
It is worth noting that the Labour Party had pledged to reduce migration figures. However, a recent setback in local elections in England—where voters supported an anti-immigration party—has prompted Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take action.
Data shows of the 108,000 individuals who sought asylum in the United Kingdom last year, 16,000 had initially entered the country on student visas, according to official government data. However, the government has not disclosed the specific nationalities of those student visa holders who later applied for asylum.
Officials have indicated that nationals of Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka are among the most likely to seek asylum in the UK after entering on work, student, or visitor visas.
Next week, the government is expected to release a policy document—referred to as a white paper—outlining its strategy to reduce net migration, which reached 728,000 in the 12-month period ending in June of last year.
