United Kingdom Mulls Over Limiting Visa Applications Originating from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Other High-Risk Nations
Looks like the UK's Home Office is considering a shakeup in visa policies, focusing on applicants from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. Here's the lowdown on this potential game-changer:
Visa Restrictions on the Horizon
- Affected Nations: The proposed regulations are set to hit Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, with these countries showing a high tendency to overstay visas and subsequently apply for asylum[1][3][4].
- Impacted Visa Categories: The new rules will likely target two primary visa groups:
- Skilled Worker Visa: Allow entry for employees backed by UK employers.
- Student Visa: For international scholars[5].
- Behind the Move: This decision forms part of a broader strategy to combat asylum claims from individuals who initially entered the UK on work or study visas. By 2023, close to 10,000 asylum seekers were reported to have first arrived in the UK on such visas, with a substantial number hailing from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka[5].
- Strategies for Enforcement: The Home Office is working on data-driven approaches to identify applicants who may use entry routes as a means for future asylum claims. This includes developing intelligence on the profiles of individuals more likely to overstay their visas or make asylum claims[4][5].
- Criticism: The planned profiling approach has attracted criticism from immigration experts and civil liberties activists, who question its fairness, accuracy, and ethical implications[5].
On the Lifeboats: International Graduates
In addition, the UK is looking to tighten access to the graduate route, ensuring international graduates secure graduate-level jobs before staying in the UK post-university. This requirement leans more on skill level compared to salary[1].
Home Office's Crackdown Objective
The Home Office clarifies that its objective is to restore order to the immigration system by rooting out abuse by foreign nationals seeking asylum after arriving on work and study visas[1][4].
While this may pose challenges to applicants from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, further details of the government's proposed immigration reform will be revealed in the Immigration White Paper slated for release later in May[5].
Keep an eye on this space for updates on how the future of visa applications may shape up!
P.S: If you're curious about other global developments, take a gander at these eye-openers:
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- Tinubu's Committee Setup in preparation for AU MSME Forum in June
- Stop De-marketing Nigeria: Orji Kalu urges politicians to push for growth at home instead of COVID-19 narratives
- BRICS Discussion on Donald Trump's trade policies
- US Deportation List: Senegal, Mauritania, Nigeria top the list for African nations [See full list]
- As the UK Home Office ponders stricter visa regulations, potential changes may particularly affect citizens of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka due to a high tendency of overstaying visas and subsequent asylum applications.
- Alongside stricter visa policies, the UK government is considering tightening access to the graduate route for international students, requiring them to secure graduate-level jobs before staying in the country post-university.
- Tinubu, a notable figure in Nigerian politics, has recently launched a committee in preparation for the AU MSME Forum in June, while Orji Kalu, another prominent politician, has called for a shift in focus away from COVID-19 narratives and towards domestic growth in Nigeria.
