The UK government is warning tens of thousands of international students to leave the country when their visas expire or face deportation. The Home Office is sending warnings to students whose visas are nearing expiry or have expired, with around 10,000 students already contacted and over 130,000 expected to receive similar notices. Students who ignore these warnings risk being detained, deported, and banned from re-entering the UK.
The government is cracking down on students who claim asylum after their visas expire, with around 14,800 claims (13% of total applications) coming from former student visa holders in the year to June. The UK has implemented stricter visa rules, including reducing the post-study stay period for graduates from two years to 18 months and tightening university visa sponsorship requirements.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasizes that students should not claim asylum if nothing has changed in their home country, and those with meritless claims will be swiftly refused. The government aims to deter students from abusing the asylum system and ensure that genuine refugees receive support.
