The government of the United Kingdom has intensified its crackdown on immigration, issuing warnings to foreign students against visa violations.
The UK’s Home Office warned that foreign students who fail to comply with visa regulations will face severe consequences, including deportation and future entry bans.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass gathered that this was contained in a message sent directly to thousands of foreign students in the UK by the Home Office.
The message reads: “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused.
“Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the requirements, you will not receive support.
“If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave.
“If you don’t, we will remove you.”
Speaking further on the development, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the reason for the message warning foreign students against overstaying visas was due to a rise in visa violations.
Cooper disclosed that some international students are claiming asylum “even when things haven’t changed in their home country”.
The Home Secretary added that around 15% of asylum applications in the UK in 2024, came from people who arrived on a study visa.
Cooper also noted that warning foreign students against visa violations isn’t the only step the government is taking. She added that new policies include increased monitoring of student attendance at universities and colleges, as well as collaboration with educational institutions to report non-compliant students.
“We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees,” she added, “but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course.”
