• May 5, 2025

Reform UK’s Rise Prompts Crackdown on Student Visa Asylum Applications

Reform UK’s Rise Prompts Crackdown on Student Visa Asylum Applications

LONDON May 5: The Labour government is intensifying its immigration policies following Reform UK’s gains in the recent council elections. Ministers are now preparing to close a loophole that allows international students to apply for asylum while in the UK, as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls.

According to The Guardian, the government is expected to take concrete steps by mid-May to reduce the number of asylum claims from student visa holders. The long-awaited immigration white paper is also being prioritized for release.

Government officials argue that the goal is to prevent abuse of the visa system. In 2024, 108,000 people applied for asylum in the UK, including 16,000 individuals who entered on student visas, according to the Home Office.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that these figures indicate the system is being exploited. Although immigration reforms have been under consideration for months, sources suggest that Reform UK’s electoral success has prompted the government to accelerate its plans.

Additional proposals may include limiting international students’ ability to remain in the UK through low-skilled employment. However, this has sparked opposition from the Department for Education and university representatives, who warn such measures could harm the UK’s higher education sector.