The United Kingdom is planning a major overhaul of its immigration system, with Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka among the countries likely to face tougher visa rules. British authorities say citizens from these countries are frequently overstaying their visas and later applying for asylum, which can eventually lead to permanent residency.
The Home Office says these changes will be part of the Immigration White Paper, which is expected to be released later in May. Officials describe the current system as broken and say urgent reforms are needed.
According to reports, the UK plans to introduce stricter requirements for student and work visa applicants from countries seen as having high rates of visa abuse. An internal review found that many applicants from the affected countries don’t return home after their visas expire. Instead, they file asylum claims, often citing safety concerns back home.
A Home Office spokesperson said work is underway to detect and prevent abuse at the earliest stage. “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 spokesperson said.
The UK is developing new systems to flag visa applicants who may be at risk of overstaying. Officials say these tools will help immigration officers spot potential issues early in the process and act accordingly.
“We keep the visa system under constant review,” the spokesperson added. “Where we detect trends that may undermine our immigration rules, we won’t hesitate to act.”
While the government says the aim is to maintain control of its borders and ensure fairness, the proposal is already raising questions. Critics argue the policy could unfairly target specific nationalities, especially if enforcement is based on group data rather than individual behavior. Legal experts also warn the UK could face lawsuits if the rules are seen as discriminatory.
The upcoming Immigration White Paper, due later in May, is expected to spell out the government’s full strategy, including new eligibility checks, deeper financial and travel history reviews, and cooperation with foreign governments to verify applicants’ backgrounds.
In recent years, Nigerians have made up a large share of successful student and skilled worker visa holders in the UK. Many of them follow the rules and contribute meaningfully to the economy. Now, they could face more hurdles in getting visas, even if they meet all the requirements.
With the policy announcement expected in the coming weeks, attention is turning to how these changes might affect relations between the UK and countries like Nigeria. There’s also concern about the message it sends to thousands of law-abiding migrants who have chosen the UK for education and work.
