Several UK universities have begun restricting applications from Pakistan and Bangladesh amid rising concerns over visa abuse and the implementation of stricter Home Office rules. At least nine institutions have now classified these countries as “high-risk,” tightening admissions controls to safeguard their student sponsor licenses.
The decision follows a sharp increase in asylum claims filed by students who initially entered the UK on study or work visas. Universities say the trend has forced them to adopt stricter screening measures in order to comply with new Home Office requirements, which limit visa refusal rates to no more than 5 percent, a significant reduction from the previous threshold. Latest figures show that refusal rates for students from Pakistan and Bangladesh are currently 18 and 22 percent, respectively, far exceeding the new limit. Applicants from these two countries now account for nearly half of all student visa refusals in the past year.
Among the affected universities, the University of Chester has suspended recruitment from Pakistan until autumn 2026 after reporting a spike in visa refusals. The University of Wolverhampton and the University of East London have stopped accepting undergraduate applications from both Pakistan and Bangladesh, while the University of Sunderland and Coventry University have implemented similar restrictions to ensure compliance with the new rules.
Lower-fee universities that depend heavily on international student enrollment are particularly impacted, with some, including the University of Hertfordshire and Glasgow Caledonian University, placed under action plans requiring stricter compliance. Other institutions such as Oxford Brookes, BPP University, and London Metropolitan University have also temporarily paused or limited recruitment from Pakistan and Bangladesh while adjusting to the updated Home Office regulations.
The tightening of admissions policies reflects growing caution among UK universities as they navigate the balance between attracting international talent and meeting stringent visa compliance standards.
