LONDON: The UK government has initiated a stricter crackdown on international students who overstay their visas, following a notable rise in asylum applications lodged after study permits expire.
According to British media, the Home Office has sent warnings through emails and text messages to thousands of foreign students, cautioning that those who remain in the country illegally after their visa lapses face possible deportation.
Officials say the step was prompted by a concerning pattern: a surge in asylum requests from ex-students, even from countries where no major political or security issues have emerged.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that many of these applications appear unjustified, as the students’ home nations have not seen significant changes warranting asylum protection.
Key Figures:
- In the past year, around 14,800 asylum applications were filed by former international students.
- Pakistani nationals accounted for the highest number, with 5,700 cases.
- Students from India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria followed.
The UK has also temporarily paused new family reunification applications from asylum seekers, citing pressure on its immigration system.
Authorities stress that while international students remain important to the UK’s education and economy, exploitation of the asylum system will not be accepted.
