UK to impose visa restrictions on Nigerians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans

The United Kingdom is stepping up efforts to tighten visa regulations for nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The development follows internal assessments by the UK authorities indicating higher rates of visa overstays and subsequent asylum claims among applicants from these countries.

According to The Times, the U.K. Home Office, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA), is developing predictive, data-driven models to assist immigration caseworkers in identifying individuals—particularly those applying for work or study visas—who may be using legitimate visa routes to later seek asylum.

The proposed restrictions are expected to primarily impact two categories: the Skilled Worker visa (Tier 4), which permits individuals to work in the U.K. with employer sponsorship, and the Student visa (Tier 2), issued to international students.

The move comes amid increasing political and public pressure on the Home Office to curb the number of asylum claims from individuals who originally entered the country through legal immigration channels.

Government figures released in March revealed that nearly 10,000 asylum seekers in 2023 had initially arrived in the U.K. on student or work visas. Many of them were later housed in government-funded accommodation, including hotels. Pakistani, Nigerian, and Sri Lankan nationals made up the largest proportion of these cases.

While the government frames this policy as a data-informed measure to strengthen immigration control, critics have raised concerns. Immigration experts and human rights advocates argue that the profiling approach may be unfair and discriminatory.

They also question the reliability and ethical implications of using nationality and algorithm-based predictions to flag potential visa abusers.