The UK Government has sent a serious warning to foreign students — “Don’t even think of overstaying your visa!”
According to a new statement from the Home Office, the government says asylum claims without solid reasons will be rejected immediately, and anyone who no longer has the right to remain must leave the country — or face deportation.
“If you do not leave voluntarily, removal action will be taken,” the Home Office warned.
Students Turning to Asylum for Stay
This latest move follows a shocking rise in asylum applications from former international students who entered the UK on study visas.
Official figures show that about 14,800 asylum applications (13% of the total in the past year) came from people who originally entered on student visas!
Top countries on the list include Pakistan (5,700), followed by India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. 🇳🇬
While the number has dropped slightly from last year, it’s still six times higher than in 2020 — a clear red flag for UK authorities.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that some students are abusing the asylum system to remain in the country.
“Some international students are seeking asylum even when nothing has changed in their home countries,” she said.
“This puts pressure on asylum accommodation, including hotels. We support genuine refugees, but students shouldn’t use asylum as an excuse to extend their stay after graduation.”
Stricter Rules Incoming
The Home Office isn’t backing down. In May, it tightened university sponsorship rules — schools now face tougher checks on student completion rates and visa refusals.
Also, the post-study work visa (which used to last 2 years) has now been reduced to just 18 months.
And that’s not all — Cooper also announced that new applications for refugee family reunions will be paused for now. Meanwhile, the UK-France “one in, one out” migrant return deal is kicking off later this month.
What Schools and Advocates Are Saying
While the UK government insists it’s protecting the integrity of its immigration system, universities and human rights advocates are urging caution.
Universities UK, which represents all higher education institutions, agreed that abuse must stop — but called for better cooperation with the Home Office.
“We need real-time data sharing so universities can respond faster,” they said.
However, the Refugee Council has warned against painting all student asylum seekers as frauds.
Jon Featonby, a spokesperson, said:
“It’s unfair to assume all students applying for asylum are abusing the system. Some genuinely fear for their safety due to changing situations in their home countries.”
