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The British Home Office is intensifying its efforts to prevent misuse of the visa system. According to officials, some individuals are entering the UK on work or student visas, overstaying their permitted duration, and then applying for asylum once inside the country. Under current rules, asylum seekers are allowed to remain in the UK and work indefinitely while their applications are under review.

Surge in asylum applications triggers policy shift

This crackdown comes in response to a sharp rise in asylum claims, which authorities deem excessive. In 2023, the Home Office recorded more than 108,000 applications — the highest figure since 1979. Pakistani nationals accounted for the largest proportion, with 10,542 claims.

In response, the Home Office is compiling a watchlist of countries considered high-risk for visa abuse. Pakistan, Nigeria (2,841 applications), and Sri Lanka (2,862 applications) have already been placed under scrutiny. The list may expand as the investigation continues. Nationals from countries identified on this watchlist could soon face greater difficulty obtaining UK work or student visas.