UK Flags Visa Abuse as Student Asylum Claims Rise

UK Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra defended her government's immigration proposals during a visit to India.

sarah

Nov 25, 2025 - 13:04

UK Flags Visa Abuse as Student Asylum Claims Rise

UK Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra defended her government's immigration proposals during a visit to India, expressing concern over the increasing number of foreign students seeking asylum after completing their studies.

Under the new plan, some migrants may have to wait up to 20 years before settling permanently in the UK, and the qualifying period for indefinite stay will be extended from five to 10 years.

These proposals will apply to approximately 2.6 million people who have arrived in the country since 2021. Some, including some Labour MPs, have criticized them, though the Conservatives have cautiously welcomed the measures.

Malhotra explained that these reforms are "in line with what countries around the world are doing to prevent abuse of their immigration systems," and added that they also send a "very strong message that we welcome those who come legally."

According to Malhotra, last year, nearly 16,000 international students from around the world applied for asylum in the UK after completing their courses, which he believes is evidence of misuse of legal migration routes.

The latest Home Office data shows that 14,800 more students have sought asylum this year until June 2025. It's unclear how many of them are Indian citizens.

"We've seen visa abuse in the case of legal routes, where people entered legally and then, when their visas weren't extended, tried to overstay," Malhotra said.

"If you see this level of abuse, it weakens your immigration system. It undermines public trust and expectations, and the fairness and control it provides."

India remains one of the largest sources of international students in the UK, but demand is declining.

Due to the implementation of stricter immigration rules, the number of Indian students going to the UK has dropped by 11% from last year. This has raised concerns among UK universities, which rely on foreign students and are already struggling with financial constraints.

According to Oxford University's Migration Observatory, India was the largest country of origin for foreign students in the UK in 2023-2024, accounting for 25% of students. China was second with 23%, while Nigeria accounted for 8%.

Malhotra said that Britain remains "very welcoming" to Indian students, but his government is working with universities to ensure they are genuine foreign students.

He added that the recent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India has also encouraged UK universities to open local campuses in India, with the University of Liverpool announcing last week that it will open a campus in Bengaluru in 2026.

The FTA, signed in July after years of negotiations, is expected to boost UK GDP by £4.8 billion annually and increase trade between the two countries by £25.5 billion.

As part of the education chapter in the deal, nine UK universities have been approved to open campuses across India.

However, these major trade goals face challenges due to the domestic political climate regarding migration.

During a visit to India in October, Sir Keir Starmer stated that the UK would not relax visa rules for Indian citizens, despite Delhi's long-standing push for easier mobility in exchange for trade concessions.

Malhotra rejected suggestions that Britain seeks deeper trade while closing doors to Indian professionals, citing the nearly half a million visas granted to Indian citizens last year across work, study, and visitor categories.

Malhotra said the UK is moving towards a "contribution-based" immigration system, where settlement and long-term stay depend on a person's economic contribution, rather than their length of stay in the country.

The government's proposal for major changes to the UK immigration system is part of a larger effort to demonstrate stronger border control, but some Labour MPs and members of the House of Lords have criticized it, particularly regarding its potential impact on international recruitment in sectors such as healthcare and social care.

While the reforms are still under negotiation, when Malhotra was asked about settlement pathways for migrant professionals such as nurses and care workers, he said, "We are expanding pathways for those who have skills in areas the UK needs."

A survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warned that up to 50,000 nurses could leave the UK if the government goes ahead with its immigration proposals.

The report states that the UK now has over 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff, representing approximately 25% of the country's total nursing workforce of 794,000.

A large number of these nurses and care workers are from India. Several investigations, including this one, have revealed that many of them have fallen victim to cross-border visa scams and lost millions of pounds.

But Malhotra said the UK is stepping up efforts to protect people from such exploitation and is working with law enforcement agencies in countries like India to share intelligence and crack down on such gambling.