The United Kingdom is reportedly planning stricter immigration measures that could make it more difficult for nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to obtain visas, citing high rates of overstaying and subsequent asylum claims.
According to a report by The Times on Tuesday, the UK Home Office is developing targeted policies to address what it sees as visa system abuse by individuals who enter the country on work or study permits and later seek asylum.
A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed the plans, noting that the government’s upcoming Immigration White Paper will propose significant reforms.
“Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system,” the spokesperson said. “To tackle abuse by foreign nationals who arrive on work and study visas and go on to claim asylum, we are building intelligence on the profile of these individuals to identify them earlier and faster.”
The new measures are expected to be unveiled later this month and will include steps to monitor visa trends and take action where necessary.
In recent years, Nigerian applicants in particular have faced tightening restrictions, including bans on bringing dependents and reduced access to post-study work visas. These changes have contributed to a steep drop in applications.
Data from 2024 showed a significant increase in visa rejections for Nigerian nationals, with the refusal rate jumping from 1 in 31 applications in 2022 to 1 in 8 by the end of 2023. This shift led to a 63% decline in UK visas granted to Nigerians over the past year.
As the UK ramps up enforcement, many Nigerian students and workers are now exploring alternative destinations, including the U.S.—although it, too, has implemented stricter visa policies.
Full details of the proposed UK immigration changes will be released in the forthcoming White Paper.
