Home Office Sends Visa Expiry Texts to Thousands of Students
What Happened?
- The UK Home Office has started sending warning text messages and emails to thousands of international students whose visas are nearing expiry.
- The warning says:
- If you apply for asylum without a strong case, it will be rejected.
- If you don’t have the legal right to remain, you must leave.
- If you don’t leave, the government will remove you.
Why Is This Happening?
- The government says there’s an “alarming rise” in international students applying for asylum to stay longer in the UK.
- Data shows:
- Around 16% of asylum claims come from people who originally entered on a student visa.
- This number is six times higher than five years ago.
- Some students allegedly apply for asylum even when nothing has changed in their home country, using it as a way to extend their stay.
Government’s Position
- Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK wants to support genuine refugees, but not students who misuse the asylum system.
- The texts are meant to make it very clear that asylum is not a route to extend a visa.
Criticism of the Policy
- The University and College Union (UCU) says this is an attack on international students, not really about overstaying.
- Critics accuse Labour of copying the anti-immigration stance of Reform UK (Nigel Farage’s party) to gain popularity.
- They argue that international students are vital for the UK economy and higher education sector, and this approach damages the UK’s reputation.
Current Situation
- Around 130,000 students and their families will receive these warnings.
- About 10,000 students have already been contacted.
- Since the May 2025 white paper, the number of student asylum claims has already dropped by 10%, but the government wants it reduced further.
In short:
The UK government is warning international students not to misuse asylum claims after their visas expire. They see it as an abuse of the system, while critics argue it’s a political move that unfairly targets students and harms the UK’s image as a welcoming study destination.
For more updates on UK visa policies and international student news, contact us today.
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