Surge in Student Asylum Claims Leads UK Minister to Address Visa Abuse

Fri Dec 05 2025 10:08:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

UK's Indo-Pacific Minister highlights a significant rise in asylum claims from international students, signaling potential visa abuse and tightening immigration policies.

During her visit to India, UK Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra raised concerns over the surge in asylum claims by international students post-studies, labeling it as 'visa abuse.' The government is introducing new immigration proposals, requiring longer wait times for permanent residency and increased scrutiny on visa applications. This comes amidst a decline in international student enrollment from India, raising alarms for UK universities reliant on foreign tuition.

UK's Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra has defended her government's immigration proposals during a visit to India, while expressing concern about a rise in foreign students seeking asylum at the end of their studies.

According to new plans, some migrants could face up to 20 years before they can settle permanently in the UK, with the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain extending from five to 10 years.

These reforms apply to an estimated 2.6 million individuals who entered the UK since 2021. Although criticized by some Labour MPs, the proposals were cautiously welcomed by Conservative members.

Malhotra stated that the reforms mirror global practices to combat immigration system abuse, emphasizing the message that legal entrants are still welcomed. She cited that around 16,000 international students applied for asylum in the UK last year alone, a trend she claims indicates misuse of legal migration pathways.

As of June 2025, an additional 14,800 students sought asylum, though the number of Indian nationals among them remains unclear. 'This level of abuse undermines our immigration system,' Malhotra warned, adding it erodes public trust and the expected fairness of the system.

Despite India being a primary source of international students, there's been an 11% drop in Indian enrollments due to stricter immigration regulations. The UK remains eager to attract genuine students while maintaining control over its immigration landscape.

During her trip, Malhotra also highlighted the recent free trade agreement (FTA) with India, which aims to bolster educational exchanges and allow UK universities to establish local campuses, such as the upcoming campus of Liverpool University in Bengaluru.

However, political tensions remain as discussions of trade continue amidst calls for better mobility for Indian professionals. Malhotra defended the current visa landscape, revealing nearly half a million visas granted to Indian nationals across different categories last year.

The UK is shifting towards a 'contribution-based' immigration system that values economic contributions over longevity of stay, yet the proposed measures face pushback, particularly from healthcare and social care sectors concerned about the impact on workforce recruitment and retention.

As the reforms are still under consultation, Malhotra confirmed that routes for skilled professionals in sectors with high demand are being expanded to ensure the UK continues to benefit from talented migrants.

She added efforts are underway to address visa scams and exploitation, working in collaboration with Indian law enforcement to counteract these issues, ensuring the safety and integrity of the immigration system for legitimate travellers.