LONDON: The British government has warned international students that they face immediate deportation if they remain in the country after their visas expire, with the Home Office issuing alerts to thousands of foreign students, British media reported.
According to British media reports, the Home Office has sent emails and text messages to thousands of foreign students.
Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that some international students are claiming asylum.
This move comes as authorities report receiving over 14,800 asylum applications in the past year—many from individuals who initially entered the UK on student visas.
Among these, the highest number of applications—around 5,700—were submitted by Pakistani students, followed by students from India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.
The UK Home Secretary stated that some of the applicants come from countries where there is no conflict or emergency situation, suggesting that many of these asylum claims may be an abuse of the system.
Although the number of student visa holders applying for asylum has dropped from the year before, it is nearly six times as many as in 2020, according to the department.
In a related development, the government also announced a temporary suspension of new applications for refugee family reunification just a day prior to this crackdown.
Officials have emphasised that immigration laws will now be enforced more strictly, and no leniency will be shown to those who violate visa conditions.
In May, the department announced plans to tighten regulations aimed at preventing migrants from using university study as a route to enter the UK.
Separately, authorities have also tightened the pass/fail criteria for MBBS and BDS students, introducing stricter academic standards.
Universities UK, an umbrella group for British universities, said it recognised the government had “raised concerns about the number of asylum claims, and we have discussed this matter with officials”.
“To make sure universities can continue to play their part, we need improved, real-time data sharing between the Home Office and the sector so that universities can respond proactively to any issues as soon as they are identified,” it added.
The Refugee Council said the situation in some students’ home countries could change “dramatically” after their arrival in the UK.
