The UK government is developing stricter visa measures for applicants from Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka amid growing concerns over asylum abuse, according to Whitehall sources. These nationalities are reportedly among the most likely to overstay work or study visas and later seek asylum in Britain.
In collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Home Office is working on advanced profiling models to assess the likelihood of visa holders applying for asylum after legal entry. These efforts aim to curb the misuse of the UK’s visa system and reduce the number of claimants staying in taxpayer-funded accommodation.
Data Reveals High Number of Asylum Seekers on Initial Legal Visas
Home Office data disclosed in March revealed that nearly 10,000 individuals who had initially entered the UK on legal work or student visas had later claimed asylum and stayed in government-funded housing such as hotels. The most frequently recorded nationalities among them were Pakistani, Nigerian, and Sri Lankan.
Bank Statements to Be Used in Asylum Assessments
Under the proposed strategy, officials will also scrutinize bank statements submitted by visa holders to assess eligibility for asylum accommodation. The move is part of a broader plan to use financial and behavioural data to detect patterns in those suspected of abusing visa routes.
Migration Expert Raises Questions on Accuracy and Fairness
Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, warned that the effectiveness of the model would depend heavily on the quality of intelligence and the clarity of behavioural patterns. She noted that poor data could lead to arbitrary decisions or potential legal challenges on grounds of discrimination.
Although the UK government has wide discretion in issuing work and study visas, experts warn that targeting specific nationalities could raise legal and ethical concerns.
