By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE GOVERNMENT of United Kingdom (UK) has said it is preparing to tighten visa rules for citizens of countries with high rates of overstaying, potentially affecting applicants from Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
An internal assessment by the Home Office identified a pattern of individuals from these nations overstaying their work or study visas and subsequently applying for asylum, which—if successful—permits permanent residency.
In response, officials are weighing stricter visa restrictions to deter misuse of the immigration system.
“Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system,” a Home Office spokesperson said, reiterating a tougher stance on abuse of visa pathways.
“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.”
Officials have signalled that changes may include tougher eligibility criteria or revised application scrutiny for high-risk nationalities.
The statement also stressed the Home Office’s ongoing review of visa trends and its readiness to act where immigration rules are seen to be undermined.
Though specific policy adjustments have not yet been announced, full details are expected in the forthcoming Immigration White Paper, set for release later in May.
Data from 2024 highlights the mounting pressure on Nigerian applicants, with UK visa rejection rates rising sharply—from one in 31 applications in late 2022 to one in eight by the end of 2023.
The resulting decline saw a 63 percent drop in successful Nigerian visa approvals year-on-year.
The financial implications of higher rejection rates and non-refundable fees have compounded the strain for many applicants.
The proposed changes signal a broader government drive to restore public confidence in the immigration system by targeting procedural loopholes and strengthening enforcement.
