UK Universities Restrict Admissions from Pakistan and Bangladesh Amid Tougher Student Visa Rules

Several UK universities have imposed restrictions or temporarily suspended admissions for students from Pakistan and Bangladesh following stricter Home Office student visa regulations and a rise in asylum claims. Universities including Chester, Wolverhampton, East London, Sunderland, and Coventry have cited increasing visa refusal rates and prolonged processing delays as reasons for these measures.

Under the new Home Office compliance rules, institutions must maintain visa rejection rates below five percent, forcing universities to reassess their recruitment of international students. Education consultants warn that these restrictions place significant pressure on universities that rely heavily on tuition fees from overseas students, potentially affecting revenue streams and program viability.

Agencies supporting student admissions have criticized the system, pointing to inadequate screening processes in the students’ home countries as contributing to the problem. Meanwhile, the UK government maintains that these measures are essential to prevent misuse of the student visa system and to safeguard its integrity, ensuring that only eligible and genuine students are granted entry.

This development has sparked concerns among prospective Pakistani and Bangladeshi students, who may face limited opportunities to pursue higher education in the UK amid tightened immigration controls. Universities are now exploring ways to comply with government regulations while minimizing disruptions to legitimate international applicants.