The United Kingdom is reportedly considering fresh immigration measures that may further tighten visa access for citizens of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, citing rising cases of overstays and asylum claims.
According to a report by The Times on Tuesday, the UK Home Office is preparing to unveil stricter visa regulations targeting countries identified as having high rates of non-compliance with visa terms.
In recent years, there has been a growing wave of Nigerians relocating abroad in a trend popularly known as japa, with many entering the UK on student or work visas and later applying for asylum — a pattern that has triggered the proposed clampdown.
Confirming the development, a spokesperson for the UK Home Office said the upcoming Immigration White Paper would address loopholes in the system.
“Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system,” the statement read. “We are building intelligence on the profile of individuals abusing the system through work and study routes, and we will not hesitate to act where we see trends undermining our immigration rules.”
The paper, expected later this month, is set to introduce reforms aimed at preventing visa misuse and reinforcing control of the country’s borders.
Nigerian applicants have already experienced tighter visa restrictions in recent months, including limits on dependents and reduced post-study work opportunities. This has led to a notable decline in student visa applications from Nigeria.
Data from 2024 showed that visa rejections for Nigerian applicants increased sharply — from one in 31 applications in 2022 to one in eight by late 2023 — resulting in a 63% drop in UK visas issued to Nigerians within a year.
With increasing uncertainty in UK immigration policies, many Nigerian students and professionals are now turning attention to other countries, including the United States, though it has also introduced more stringent visa regulations.
Full details of the UK’s new immigration plans are expected to be released before the end of May.
