UK Immigration Policies and Student Asylum Claims
UK Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra discussed the government's immigration proposals during a visit to India, addressing a reported increase in asylum claims from international students upon completing their studies.
Latest Home Office figures indicate that 14,800 students sought asylum in the UK by June 2025. Malhotra stated that approximately 16,000 international students applied for asylum in the UK last year after finishing their courses, identifying this trend as evidence of misuse of legal migration routes. She asserted that such a level of activity undermines the immigration system, public confidence, and the control expected by the public.
Proposed Immigration Reforms
The UK government is advancing reforms to its immigration system. These proposals, which would affect an estimated 2.6 million individuals who arrived in the country since 2021, include extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years. Some migrants could potentially wait up to 20 years before gaining permanent settlement in the UK.
Malhotra stated that these reforms align with international practices to prevent abuse of immigration systems, while also reinforcing a message that legal migration is welcomed. The proposals are currently under consultation and have generated criticism from some Labour Members of Parliament and members of the House of Lords. Concerns have been raised regarding their potential impact on international recruitment, particularly within critical sectors such as healthcare and social care.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) conducted a survey suggesting that up to 50,000 nurses could depart the UK if the proposed immigration changes are implemented. The UK's nursing workforce includes over 200,000 internationally educated staff, comprising approximately 25% of the total 794,000 nurses.
Malhotra affirmed that the UK is expanding pathways for individuals with skills required by the country. She also noted the UK's shift towards a "contribution-based" immigration system, where long-term residency and settlement are determined by an individual's economic contribution rather than their duration of stay.
UK-India Student Mobility and Trade
India remains the primary country of origin for international students in the UK, accounting for 25% of arrivals in 2023-2024. China followed at 23%, and Nigeria at 8%. However, the number of Indian students enrolling in the UK has decreased by 11% compared to the previous year, a trend attributed to stricter immigration regulations and a point of concern for UK universities facing financial pressures.
Malhotra emphasized that the UK continues to welcome Indian students and is collaborating with universities to ensure genuine student status. The recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India includes an education chapter, which has encouraged UK universities to establish campuses in India. As an example, Liverpool University announced plans to open a campus in Bengaluru in 2026.
The FTA, signed in July, is projected to boost the UK's GDP by £4.8 billion annually and increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion. Despite these trade ambitions, the domestic political climate in the UK has become more restrictive concerning migration.
During an October visit to India, Sir Keir Starmer stated that the UK would not ease visa regulations for Indian nationals, despite India's long-standing advocacy for enhanced mobility in exchange for trade concessions. Malhotra countered the notion that Britain seeks deeper trade while restricting access for Indian professionals, referencing the nearly half a million visas granted to Indian nationals last year across work, study, and visitor categories.
Efforts to Combat Visa Fraud
Malhotra acknowledged that many internationally educated nursing staff, including those from India, have been exploited through cross-border visa scams. She stated that the UK is intensifying efforts to protect individuals from such exploitation and is cooperating with law enforcement agencies in countries such as India to share intelligence and disrupt criminal networks involved in these activities.