"Leave the UK or Face Removal", UK PM Starmer Warns Foreign Students Over Visa Overstay
By: Olufemi Orunsola
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Stamer has warned international students who overstay their study visas that they stand to face deportation if they remain in the country illegally.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that for the first time, the Home Office is proactively contacting tens of thousands of foreign students via text messages and emails to caution them directly about the serious consequences of visa overstays.
This unprecedented move follows a sharp rise in the number of students entering the UK on study visas and subsequently applying for asylum once their visas expire.
According to recent Home Office data, about 13 to 15 percent of asylum applications in the year up to June 2025 came from individuals who originally arrived on student visas—nearly six times higher than in 2020.
In an interview with the BBC, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had disclosed that some students are filing asylum claims “even when conditions have not changed in their home countries,” which is putting significant pressure on the UK’s asylum system and accommodation facilities. Cooper emphasized the government’s commitment to support genuine refugees but warned against abuse of the asylum system by students seeking to extend their stay beyond their legal permission.
The government’s warnings explicitly state that asylum claims lacking merit will be swiftly and thoroughly rejected, and support for asylum applicants will be assessed against destitution criteria. Those who do not meet these criteria will not receive assistance. This approach aligns with recent policy changes, including restrictions on post-study work visas and tightened immigration rules.
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