UK's Upcoming Visa Restrictions: A Controversial Attempt to Curb Asylum Claims

New UK government plans may restrict visa applications for individuals from countries seen as high-risk for overstaying and filing for asylum. The Home Office is expected to outline these measures in an upcoming Immigration White Paper. Countries affected might include Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, particularly for those entering legally on work or study visas who later switch to asylum claims.

Concern arises over the lack of published statistics on visa exit checks, complicating predictions around overstay rates. Experts, like Prof Jonathan Portes, suggest that while these measures aim to deter perceived abuses of the immigration system, the actual reduction in asylum applications may be minimal.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made commitments to reduce both illegal and legal migration rates but shied away from setting a net migration target. The Labour government is facing pressure for reforms, especially following the success of the Reform UK party in recent local elections, which signals a public demand for stricter immigration controls. Meanwhile, net migration figures have been fluctuating, hitting a peak of 906,000 in June 2023 before dropping to 728,000 by the following June.

The previous Conservative administration had raised entry requirements, like the minimum salary for skilled workers and restricted family dependants from entering with care workers. As all eyes turn towards the imminent Immigration White Paper, the Home Office emphasizes building intelligence to better manage potential abuses in the system. A fresh approach is on the horizon as the UK grapples with its immigration strategies amid shifting political pressures.