UK student visa crackdown sees Home Office warning thousands to leave or face removal as misuse of asylum claims by students rises sharply
UK student visa crackdown has intensified as the government begins directly warning tens of thousands of international students to leave once their visas expire or risk removal.
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According to the BBC, the Home Office has launched a new campaign sending texts and emails to students whose visas are near expiry. It marks the first time authorities are proactively contacting visa holders with stern reminders.
One of the messages reads: “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”
Home Office data shows that around 15 per cent of asylum claims last year about 16,000 cases came from individuals who initially entered the UK on student visas. Officials say this reflects a growing misuse of the asylum system.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the situation “alarming,” emphasising the need to protect the asylum process:
“Some are claiming asylum even when nothing has changed in their home country. We must protect our asylum system from misuse, and that includes ensuring students leave when their visas end.”
So far, about 10,000 students have already received direct warnings. A further 130,000 students and dependants are expected to be contacted in the coming months, coinciding with the autumn intake.
The campaign is part of broader Labour government immigration reforms. In May, the Home Office introduced stricter requirements for universities on visa refusal rates and course completions to retain their sponsorship rights.
Out of 108,000 asylum applications filed in the UK last year, 40,000 came from legal entrants such as students, workers, and visitors more than from irregular arrivals like small boat crossings.
Student visa holders made up the largest share, with claims nearly six times higher than in 2020.
To further tighten rules, ministers recently reduced the post-study visa period for overseas graduates from two years to 18 months, limiting how long students can remain in the UK after completing their studies.
The crackdown sends a clear signal that while the UK remains open to genuine students and refugees, it is determined to close loopholes and restore control over migration.
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This report was filed as part of our continuing coverage of UK immigration reforms.
