UK Plans Visa Crackdown for Select Nationalities Over Asylum, Overstay Concerns

The British government will restrict visa applications from nationals of nations with high overstaying and subsequent asylum claims, such as Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. The move, as part of a forthcoming Immigration White Paper, is aimed at addressing criticism that some migrants enter the UK legally on work or study visas and then claim asylum, allowing them to remain in the country indefinitely. Officials say the new measures will enhance vetting of applicants who are deemed to be abusing the visa system, with the Home Office and the National Crime Agency jointly identifying risk profiles. While the government plans to restrict what it sees as exploitative asylum claims, experts say the impact on overall asylum numbers may be minimal. The policy is likely to be set out in the coming weeks as part of broader attempts to reduce net migration and restore order to the immigration system.

 

Source: BBC, Yahoo News, Sky News