UK Government Set to Tighten Visa Rules Amid Rising Asylum Concerns

[Social Media]

 

UK Government Set to Tighten Visa Rules Amid Rising Asylum Concerns

 

The UK government is preparing a major overhaul of its immigration policy, aimed at clamping down on the misuse of work and study visas by individuals who later claim asylum. The proposed changes, expected in an Immigration White Paper next week, will focus on nationalities that officials believe are more likely to overstay their visas and enter the asylum system. Among those specifically targeted are visa applicants from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.

 

According to government sources, visas will be denied to applicants who match the profile of individuals likely to seek asylum and come from countries with high asylum claim rates in the UK. These reforms come in response to growing concern that the UK’s visa system is being used as a “backdoor” to permanent residence through asylum claims.

 

The Home Office plans to use financial evidence submitted during visa applications to identify individuals who may later claim destitution in order to qualify for government-funded accommodation. “We keep the visa system under constant review and where we detect trends, which may undermine our immigration rules, we will not hesitate to take action,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

 

This tightening of policy follows a surge in asylum claims from individuals who initially arrived in the UK legally. Last year, 40,000 asylum applications were lodged by people who had previously held UK visas. That figure accounted for 37 percent of total asylum claims, surpassing even those made by migrants arriving via small boats. Around 10,000 of these individuals ended up in taxpayer-funded housing, such as hotels, at some point during the year.

 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is reportedly alarmed by the trend. She is backing measures to prevent those who entered the UK on work or study visas from accessing free accommodation reserved for destitute asylum seekers. Currently, visa holders must prove they can financially support themselves. The new policy will require immigration officials to reassess applicants' financial documents, such as bank statements, when evaluating claims for asylum-related housing. This would make it significantly harder for visa holders to obtain government support unless they can demonstrate genuine need.

 

Further measures include stricter rules for foreign graduates. Those who do not secure graduate-level employment—judged by skill rather than salary—will be required to leave the country. The Home Office is also working with the National Crime Agency to examine links between visa applicants and suspected people-smuggling networks, as well as those who coach individuals on how to exploit the asylum system.

 

The move is likely to stir controversy, particularly among the countries named. Legal experts have warned the policies could be challenged in court for being discriminatory. “To restrict access to seeking asylum based on a person’s nationality would not only be unfair but also discriminatory,” said Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council. “In an increasingly volatile world, some people on work or study visas may find their lives at risk because the political situation in their home country has changed. It is right that they are protected from harm and given a fair hearing in the asylum system as well as being provided with basic support if they need it.”

 

Critics of the plan argue that it is politically motivated, coming in the wake of poor election results for the Labour Party, which had pledged immigration reform in its general election manifesto. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, dismissed the plans, saying, “This is a desperate response to the thrashing Labour got in last week’s elections, but like everything Starmer offers, it is just performative and won’t make a difference. The system already refuses visas for people who fit the profile of asylum claimants, and asylum seekers already have to prove they are destitute to get accommodation.”

 

Despite the criticism, the government appears committed to pushing forward. As part of its data-driven approach, it is gathering intelligence to help caseworkers recognize patterns in visa misuse. According to official figures, of the 40,000 asylum claims from former visa holders last year, 16,000 came from foreign students, 11,500 from work visa holders, and 9,500 from visitor visa holders.

 

The Home Office's actions reflect a broader effort to tighten immigration controls while addressing public concerns over rising migration and its perceived impact on public services and national security.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-05-07

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

I wonder who left that gaping loop hole open?

 

Good to see the end of catch phrases and performative cruelty while operating open boarders, replaced by a Government quietly getting it done.

 

[JonnyF]

Reminds me of Biden pretending to get tough on immigration. Didn't work for him and it won't work for Starmer.

 

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, dismissed the plans, saying, “This is a desperate response to the thrashing Labour got in last week’s elections, but like everything Starmer offers, it is just performative and won’t make a difference.

 

Exactly. Well said. Starmer has lost all credibility. The mask has slipped and we've seen what's behind it. Labour are done and imprisoning more people for tweets clumsily highlighting this mess won't silence people and won't save him. 

[Bkk Brian]

24 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I wonder who left that gaping loop hole open?

 

Good to see the end of catch phrases and performative cruelty while operating open boarders, replaced by a Government quietly getting it done.

 

I see your advocating for discriminatory practices now. I wonder if that's why it was not done before?

 

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Legal experts have warned the policies could be challenged in court for being discriminatory. “To restrict access to seeking asylum based on a person’s nationality would not only be unfair but also discriminatory,” said Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council.

 

[digger70]

UK Government Set to Tighten Visa Rules Amid Rising Asylum Concerns 

 

Bit late for that isn't it, the place is already been taken over by Foreigners. they Know Who they are.

Kick them out and close the Borders that'll   take care of  the biggest problem.

[Thingamabob]

The UK is desperately over-crowded already. The public services and infrastructure are pushed to the limit of their capacity. This proposed legislation, welcome as it is, will only scratch the surface of the problem.

 

[mikeymike100]

Isn't it a case of too little, too late?

[harryviking]

VISA RULES?????? Are they really that dumb?? The beaches of Britain is the gateway damn it! The useless "immigrants" do not ask for visa! They take a boat across  the "Channel", get a hotel room food and clothes! Visa rules????🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[youreavinalaff]

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The UK is desperately over-crowded already. The public services and infrastructure are pushed to the limit of their capacity. This proposed legislation, welcome as it is, will only scratch the surface of the problem.

 

And yet, possibly the biggest public service, health and social care would not survive without immigration.

[Thingamabob]

5 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

And yet, possibly the biggest public service, health and social care would not survive without immigration.

Of course. No problem at all with legal immigration by people who can do work which Brits are either unable or unwilling to do.

[youreavinalaff]

40 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Of course. No problem at all with legal immigration by people who can do work which Brits are either unable or unwilling to do.

In that case, do you really think 100,000 asylum seekers make much of an impact on public services?

[Thingamabob]

3 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

In that case, do you really think 100,000 asylum seekers make much of an impact on public services?

100,000 asylum seekers, if that was the true number, would indeed not make much of an impact.

[Seppius]

The tide has turned

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, Seppius said:

The tide has turned

 

Down Fido....no one on here.....particularly the MAGA crowd.......... pay any attention to polls.

[youreavinalaff]

5 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

100,000 asylum seekers, if that was the true number, would indeed not make much of an impact.

That is the true number. 

 

Just over actually. I think it's currently 108 000.

 

https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informed/explainers/top-facts-from-the-latest-statistics-on-refugees-and-people-seeking-asylum/#:~:text=People seeking asylum make up,%2C Iran%2C Bangladesh and Syria.

[Patong2021]

13 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Isn't it a case of too little, too late?

 

So would you rather they  did not  correct the   problem?