The United Kingdom is considering new visa restrictions targeting “high-risk nationalities” including Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, following a surge in asylum applications from individuals who initially entered the UK through legal means such as student or work visas.

According to The Times, the UK Home Office is drafting proposals aimed at curbing what it sees as systemic abuse of immigration pathways, with officials concerned about individuals switching visa categories shortly after arriving in the country.

Recent #HomeOffice data shows that 2,841 Nigerians sought asylum in 2024, placing Nigeria among the top three countries of origin. While government sources view this as evidence of policy loopholes, refugee advocates caution against reactionary policies that could punish genuine asylum seekers.

A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that upcoming reforms will be part of a broader Immigration #WhitePaper , expected later this month, aimed at restoring order to the system.

Nigerians, who make up a large proportion of international students in the UK, have also been affected by recent immigration changes, such as the ban on #careworker dependants and stricter salary requirements for skilled workers-measures that have disproportionately affected African nationals.

Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Labour government is seeking to balance control with compassion. Although the administration has avoided setting fixed migration caps, growing political pressure-particularly from right-wing parties like #ReformUK - is shaping the immigration agenda.

Experts like Professor Jonathan Portes argue that the actual number of asylum switchers is small, but the political optics are driving policy shifts. Meanwhile, refugee organisations warn that unexpected global crises often force legal migrants to seek protection, and they urge the government to avoid closing legitimate avenues for #asylum .

The full scope of the proposed visa reforms will be detailed in the forthcoming Immigration #WhitePaper .