Nigerian students in the United Kingdom are racing to secure work visas and other legal options as the UK government tightens its immigration policies and increases deportation orders against visa overstayers.
In a statement issued last week, the UK Home Office disclosed that more than 10,000 international students had been contacted and asked to leave the country following the expiration of their visas. The notice follows a sharp rise in asylum claims from visa holders, including students, workers, and tourists.
Official figures revealed that asylum applications from visa holders tripled in recent years, accounting for 37% (41,400) of total claims in the year ending June 2025. Of these, international students represented the largest share at 40%, followed by work visa holders at 29% and visitors at 24%.
The UK government has since launched a direct communication campaign to remind students of their expiring permits, warning that “any unmerited asylum application will be rejected” and overstayers will face removal.
Data from the UK House of Commons Library showed that 732,285 foreign students were enrolled in British institutions during the 2023/24 academic year, representing 23% of the student population. This figure included 428,200 new entrants, a 6.75% decline from the previous year. Nigeria maintained its position as the third-largest source of international students, contributing 34,500 enrollees.
The policy changes have sparked anxiety among Nigerian students, many of whom are now seeking work visas to extend their stay legally. Immigration experts warn that failure to comply with the new directives could result in deportation and a permanent ban on re-entry into the UK.
