Last May 2025, the Home Office issued a white paper outlining changes in immigration policies specifically targeting student and graduate visas and immigration arrangements. The policy paper outlined several key changes, including higher English proficiency level requirements and increasing university levies on international students’ fees. Most notable of these changes is the reduction of length for post-graduate work visas and the implementation of a government crackdown on students overstaying their visas for asylum seekers.
According to The Guardian, these reforms form part of the Labour Government’s wider effort to curb immigration and impose stricter measures on asylum seekers, following what ministers called an ‘alarming’ increase in international students arriving on student visas legally before later claiming asylum. The Home Office has stressed that many of these students-turned-asylum seekers have legitimate claims and concerns, but have made clear they will target those using the Graduate Route as a springboard for asylum applications. In September, the Government announced that it would directly contact up to 130,000 students and their families deemed at risk of overstaying.
International students must hold a Home Office-issued visa to study in the UK, which also permits them to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Student visas include a unique mechanism called the Graduate Route, a limited form of Leave to Remain status wherein students who have finished their degrees can remain in the country while they seek employment or further study. Under the old rules, students were allowed to stay for up to 2 years under this visa, but this has been reduced to 18 months.
“In light of the new rules, critics of the reforms argue that the changes may push students under a Graduate Route visa and seeking longer-term stays in the UK to file for asylum.
For international students all over the country, this change in immigration rules adds yet another layer of pressure, compounding the already high costs and complex requirements of studying in the UK. The Badger, in speaking to international students nationwide, has received a mix of reactions, including those skeptical and critical of the rule changes.
A student in London said,
“The abrupt changes of the rules create[s] more uncertainty for us, whilst also being another unfortunate case of the UK shooting itself in the foot.”
A student in Manchester, remarked:
“I think it’s stupid all around, [the policy] panders to anti-immigration conservatives at the cost of the education sector and smaller cities that are reliant on international student uni populations. Foreign students are severely affected; we’re not getting what we [initially] signed up for, while paying £25,000 a year while our [home] countries are in crisis and this one tries to kick us out. Deporting [students that overstay their visas] is also just straight up a human rights issue.”
Other foreign students have voiced support for the rule changes, with a student from London telling The Badger,
“I think the government’s policy makes sense…18 months is more than enough time to find a job or do further study. I understand why many students would seek asylum, but at the end of the day, we’re here as students…[if] you don’t have a plan, you [shouldn’t] get to really stay here; it’s not our country.”
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2025/09/norwich-house-unacceptable-conditions/