Foreign students residing in the UK are cautioned of potential deportation if they overstay their visa expiration dates, as announced by the UK government.

The UK government has initiated a series of measures aimed at curbing the number of asylum applications from international students. The new measures, which include suspending applications for a refugee family reunion scheme and tightening university visa sponsorship requirements, have sparked controversy among human rights groups.

According to the Home Office, an "alarming" rise in asylum applications from student visa holders has been reported, with 14,800 applications (13% of the total) coming from student visa holders in the year to June. This figure represents a significant increase from the 2,700 cases reported in 2020 and is nearly six times higher than the number of applications in 2019.

Pakistan accounted for the largest share of these applications with 5,700 cases, followed by India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. The Home Office's focus on curbing the use of study visas as a pathway to asylum has been met with criticism from organisations such as the Refugee Council. Jon Featonby, the Refugee Council's head of policy and advocacy, argues that not all students applying for asylum are abusing the system.

In a bid to address the issue, the UK government has launched a new campaign to contact international students whose visas are expiring, warning them of potential deportation. Around 10,000 international students have already received messages, with over 130,000 expected to be contacted in the coming months. The Home Office is also focusing on providing support to those who do not meet destitution criteria, with individuals not receiving support if their asylum request is made and they do not meet the criteria.

Universities UK has called for improved, real-time data sharing between the Home Office and the sector. The organisation argues that this would enable universities to better monitor students who have overstayed their visas and ensure that they are not exploiting the asylum system. Several universities and educational institutions in the United Kingdom have expressed cooperation with the Home Office, but the specific named institutions involved in such cooperation were not found in the provided search results.

The Home Office's new measures also include reducing the period overseas graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months. If an individual does not leave the UK when they have no legal right to remain, they will be removed. Migrant returns under the UK's new one in, one out agreement with France will begin later this month.

The Refugee Council has warned against portraying students who claim asylum as abusers of the system. Conditions in some countries can worsen suddenly, or applicants may only feel safe to seek protection once in the UK because they fear reprisal or surveillance in their home country. The council argues that it is important to consider the individual circumstances of each case and to ensure that genuine asylum seekers are not denied protection.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that some students are exploiting the asylum system after their visas expire. However, the Refugee Council argues that it is important to differentiate between genuine asylum seekers and those who are abusing the system. The council has urged the government to take a balanced approach to the issue and to ensure that the rights of genuine asylum seekers are not compromised in the process.

In response to the new measures, the campaign to support international students seeking asylum has gained momentum. The Refugee Council, among other organisations, is conducting a campaign via text and email, with tens of thousands of students already contacted and over 130,000 expected to be contacted in the coming months. The campaign aims to provide information and support to students who are seeking asylum and to ensure that their rights are protected.

Foreign students residing in the UK are cautioned of potential deportation if they overstay their visa expiration dates, as announced by the UK government.