UK Moves To Deport Nigerians, Other Foreign Students- See why
The UK government is considering stricter regulations for international students, including Nigerians, who have low grades while studying in the country. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will scrutinize the existing two-year graduate visa program to assess its potential misuse and impact on net migration.
Key Points
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC): The MAC will review the existing two-year graduate visa program to address concerns about misuse and impact on net migration.
- Concerns About Misuse: There are concerns that the visa scheme is being used for low-skilled jobs or as a two-year stay in the UK, without specific employment requirements.
- Academic Performance Benchmarks: The MAC is considering the introduction of minimum grade thresholds or specific course achievements as eligibility factors for the visa.
- Additional Restrictions: Other potential restrictions under consideration include limiting the visa to graduates of certain universities or specific courses, and restricting visa holders to specific job types or activities.
Professor Brian Bell, Chairman of the MAC, highlighted the absence of academic performance benchmarks in the current visa criteria. The committee aims to review whether there should be requirements for specific grades in university courses.
The review by the MAC suggests a reevaluation of the two-year graduate visa program to ensure it aligns with the government’s migration goals and addresses concerns about potential misuse. It may lead to the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria for foreign students.
FAQs
Why is the UK planning to deport Nigerian and other foreign students?
The UK government has initiated a campaign targeting approximately 130,000 foreign students and their dependents, warning them that overstaying their visas could lead to removal from the country. This move follows a significant rise in international students applying for asylum once their student visas expire, which the Home Office deems “alarming.” The government message clearly states asylum claims must be credible, and support will only be provided if applicants meet destitution criteria. Critics argue that the policy unfairly targets students and is driven more by political pressure than immigration control.
How are Nigerian students affected by this policy?
Nigerian students are among the most affected by the UK’s new immigration measures. Between July 2024 and June 2025, around 41,100 asylum claims were filed, with students constituting the largest group. In 2024 alone, 16,000 international students applied for asylum, nearly six times the figure recorded in 2020. The Home Office has warned that asylum claims “lacking merit” will be swiftly rejected, and individuals without legal right to remain must leave the UK.
What are the new visa regulations for international students in the UK?
The UK government has implemented stricter visa controls targeting nationalities such as Nigerians, Pakistanis, and Sri Lankans, in response to increasing asylum claims from individuals entering on work and study visas. These new measures aim to reduce net migration and close the perceived loophole of visa holders transitioning to asylum seekers. Officials will use applicants’ bank statements and behavioral indicators—like low university course engagement—to identify and reject potential abusers of the system.
What is the UK government doing to enforce these policies?
The UK government is directly contacting tens of thousands of foreign students via text and email, warning them they will be deported if they overstay their visas and file “meritless” asylum claims. The move follows an “alarming” increase in such applications, which were almost six times higher in the year to June compared to 2020. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that people should not claim asylum if nothing has changed in their home country. The UK has already implemented stricter visa rules, including reducing the post-study stay period for graduates.
