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UK Visa Crackdown Targets High-Asylum Nations, Pakistan Under Scrutiny

The UK has banned sponsored study and skilled worker visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan due to a surge in asylum claims from legal routes. Pakistan, while not currently on the banned list, is under intense scrutiny as its nationals form the largest group of asylum applicants in the UK. Official data reveals a sharp increase in Pakistani asylum applications, with a high refusal rate but an extremely low corresponding deportation rate. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood indicated that the recent visa restrictions are just the beginning of further potential action.

Key Points: UK Visa Ban for High Asylum Nations; Pakistan Data Revealed

  • UK imposes visa bans on four nations
  • Pakistan has highest UK asylum seekers
  • Over 70% of Pakistani claims rejected
  • Only 4.1% of rejected applicants deported
2 min read

Pakistan facing renewed scrutiny as UK bans visas to nations with high asylum cases

UK bans visas for nations with high asylum claims. Pakistan faces scrutiny as data shows high asylum applications but low deportation rates.

"This is the beginning and not the end of the action we will take in this area. - Shabana Mahmood"

Islamabad, March 8

Pakistan is facing renewed scrutiny as questions are being raised about the low number of deportations as the UK bans visas to some nations that have high asylum cases, local media reported.

The development comes days after the UK placed an "emergency brake" on visas of people from four nations after an increase in asylum claims from legal routes. The UK Home Office will end sponsored study visas for people of Afghanistan, Cam­eroon, Myanmar, and Sudan and end skilled wor­ker visas for Afghans, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

Asked why Pakistan had not been targeted by proposed visa restrictions, as the nation accounted for the largest share of people who entered Britain on legal visas and later applied for asylum, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "This is not the end of the action we will take."

"This is the beginning and not the end of the action we will take in this area," she added.

However, Mahmood refused to mention whether discussions were ongoing with other nations about possible visa restrictions.

Sources on the Pakistan and UK government sides said that even though Islamabad was cooperating with the British authorities on the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers, the number of Pakistanis on student visas who later requested asylum was very high, Dawn reported.

According to official figures, Pakistani nationals account for the largest group seeking asylum in the UK, accounting for roughly one in 10 applications. In 2024, 10,638 Pakistanis applied for asylum, nearly double the total recorded in 2023 and higher than the number of applicants from Eritrea, Iran, and Afghanistan. Initially, many applicants travel to the UK through legal routes, including student, work, or visitor visas. However, they later made asylum claims.

Over 70 per cent of Pak­istani asylum claims are rejected, according to government data. Although the refusal rate is high, only a small number of unsuccessful applicants are sent back. According to UK Home Office statistics, 10,853 Pakistani asylum claims were refused in 2025; however, only 445 people were deported to Pakistan during the same period, which implies around 4.1 per cent of rejected applicants.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The stats are shocking. 10,638 applications in 2024? And only 445 deportations out of 10,853 refusals? No wonder the UK is taking action. It seems the system is being misused by some as a backdoor for immigration, which isn't fair to genuine asylum seekers or to the host country.
R
Rohit P
From an Indian perspective, we see this often. People use student visas with other intentions. It creates a bad name for everyone. The Pakistani government needs to cooperate better on deportations. It's a matter of international credibility. Hope they take this warning seriously.
S
Sarah B
I have to respectfully disagree with the tone of some comments. Seeking asylum is a human right, not "misuse." The rejection rate is high, yes, but the deportation rate is abysmally low. The UK needs to fix its own administrative processes instead of just blaming other countries.
K
Karthik V
The Home Secretary saying "this is the beginning" is a clear message. Pakistan might be next on the list for visa bans. This will hurt genuine students and skilled workers. It's a wake-up call for better scrutiny at the visa application stage itself, both by the UK and the sending countries.
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Meera T
As an Indian, I hope our government is watching closely. We must ensure our students and workers maintain the highest integrity abroad. Our reputation is built by the conduct of our diaspora. Let's learn from this and avoid such situations. 🙏

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