The United Kingdom (UK) is planning to introduce stricter visa restrictions for nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, citing concerns over high rates of visa overstaying and subsequent asylum claims.
According to The Times, internal reviews by the UK Home Office, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA), have revealed that individuals from these countries are statistically more likely to overstay their visas and later seek asylum.
In response, the UK government is developing data-driven profiling systems to flag potential high-risk applicants—especially those applying for Skilled Worker and Student visas. These models are intended to assist immigration caseworkers in identifying individuals who might be using legal entry routes to eventually claim asylum.
Government figures show that in 2023, nearly 10,000 asylum seekers had initially entered the UK on student or work visas, with many later housed in government-funded accommodation. Nationals from Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka accounted for a significant portion of these cases.
The proposed policy is part of a broader effort by the UK to reduce legal-to-asylum migration pathways, amid increasing political and public pressure to reform the asylum system.
However, the move has faced backlash from immigration experts and human rights groups, who argue that such profiling based on nationality and predictive algorithms could lead to unfair discrimination and ethically questionable practices.
