The UK government is cracking down on foreign students who overstay their visas by sending direct warnings through text and email alerts as their visas near expiry. This move is in response to a rise in students entering on study visas and later applying for asylum without valid reasons. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concerns about individuals exploiting the system by lodging asylum claims at the end of their studies, causing strain on housing resources. To address this issue, the government is taking steps to refuse asylum claims lacking merit and swiftly deport individuals who have no legal right to remain in the country.
As part of the crackdown, visa rules have been tightened with stricter sponsorship conditions for universities and a reduction in the post-study work period from two years to 18 months. New measures include a temporary halt to refugee family reunion applications and the implementation of the UK-France migrant return deal. The goal is to address the significant number of asylum claims coming from former students, which have increased sixfold compared to previous years.
The government has already contacted thousands of students with visas nearing expiry and plans to send warnings to tens of thousands more in the coming months.
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