The UK government is set to tighten immigration rules, specifically targeting student and work visa applicants from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. This move aims to curb net migration, which reached 728,000 in the year ending June 2024. The forthcoming Immigration White Paper will introduce profiling models developed with the National Crime Agency to identify applicants deemed likely to overstay or claim asylum. These measures will involve scrutinizing bank statements and behavioral indicators, such as low university engagement. In 2024, over 16,000 of the 108,000 asylum claims were from individuals who initially entered the UK on student visas. Critics argue that these policies may face legal challenges due to potential discrimination and could harm the UK’s higher education sector, which relies heavily on international students for revenue. The restrictions also include a ban on bringing dependents for most international students, affecting many from Pakistan. These changes reflect the UK’s broader strategy to reduce migration and address concerns over the misuse of visa routes
