Bad News for UK Student Visa Holders, Cracks Down Began

The UK government has initiated a new crackdown on international students who remain in the country after their visas expire, following a significant rise in asylum applications submitted post-visa expiry.

According to reports from British media, the Home Office has sent warnings via email and text message to thousands of foreign students, cautioning them that overstaying their visas could lead to deportation.

This move comes in response to a sharp increase in asylum applications from individuals whose study visas have lapsed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted concerns that some of these claims are being made by students from countries where there have been no major changes in political or safety conditions.

Official figures show that around 14,800 asylum applications were filed in the past year by former international students. Pakistani nationals accounted for the highest number, with 5,700 applications, followed by students from India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

In a related policy shift, the UK government has also announced a temporary suspension on new family reunification applications from asylum seekers, citing mounting pressure on the immigration system.

While stressing the importance of international students to the UK, authorities have made it clear that abuse of the asylum process will not be tolerated.

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