UK to Tighten Visa Rules for Nigerians and Other Nationalities in Immigration Crackdown

The United Kingdom is considering tighter visa restrictions for nationals of countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as part of a broader effort to curb abuse of its immigration system, particularly the asylum process.

According to reports in The Times, the UK Home Office plans to limit access to work and study visas for individuals from countries believed to have high rates of visa overstaying and asylum claims. While official data on visa overstayers has not been published since 2020, internal assessments reportedly highlight a pattern of legal entrants switching to the asylum route after arriving in the UK.

A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that a comprehensive overhaul is in the works, stating, “Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system.”

More than 108,000 people applied for asylum in the UK last year—the highest number since 1979. Of these, 10,542 were Pakistani nationals, followed by 2,862 Sri Lankans and 2,841 Nigerians.

Critics have questioned the effectiveness of such targeted visa restrictions. Professor Jonathan Portes of the think tank UK in a Changing Europe told BBC Radio 4 that, “The impact of these restrictions on overall asylum numbers is likely to be quite small.” He added that the policy appears to be aimed more at public perception than substantive results.

Despite criticism, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government has pledged to reduce both legal and illegal migration, though without setting a specific cap. Starmer has emphasized reforming the system, targeting exploitation, and reducing reliance on foreign labour through investment in local workforce training.

In 2023/24, over 732,000 international students were recorded in the UK, with India and China contributing the largest numbers. While visa issuance for work and study purposes dropped last year, the government appears determined to go further, especially following political pressure from anti-immigration party Reform UK, which made significant gains in recent local elections.

The previous Conservative government had already introduced tough measures, including raising the salary threshold for skilled workers to £38,700 and banning dependants for care worker visa holders. These changes contributed to a decline in net migration from a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023 to 728,000 a year later.

Labour’s forthcoming Immigration White Paper is expected later in May and will outline concrete steps to enforce stricter entry rules and close perceived loopholes.

Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, warned against overly broad policies, noting that “some people on work or study visas may face danger if they return home because of political upheaval. They deserve protection and a fair hearing.”

As the UK continues to grapple with balancing immigration control and humanitarian obligations, Nigeria and other affected countries may soon face more restrictive entry pathways into Britain’s education and employment sectors.

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