UK Plans Visa Crackdown on Nigerians, Pakistanis, and Sri Lankans Over Asylum Concerns

The United Kingdom is preparing to impose stricter visa regulations on nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka amid concerns over rising visa overstays and asylum claims.

According to The Times, the UK Home Office, in partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA), is developing data-driven tools to help immigration officers flag applicants—particularly those applying for student and skilled worker visas—who may be at higher risk of misusing legal entry routes to seek asylum later.

The proposed restrictions will primarily affect the Skilled Worker (Tier 4) and Student (Tier 2) visa categories.

This move comes as the Home Office faces mounting political pressure to reduce the number of asylum claims from migrants who initially entered the UK through approved visa programs. Government data released in March 2025 revealed that nearly 10,000 asylum seekers in 2023 first arrived on student or work visas. Nigerian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan nationals accounted for a significant share of these cases.

While the UK government defends the policy as a targeted measure informed by data to bolster immigration control, critics argue that it may lead to discriminatory profiling based on nationality. Human rights advocates have also raised concerns about the ethical implications and accuracy of using algorithmic predictions in visa decision-making.