The UK Home Office has launched a new campaign targeting international students, warning them against overstaying their visas and attempting to claim asylum after their legal leave expires. Tens of thousands of foreign students are being contacted directly via text and email, with 10,000 already receiving messages alerting them to the risk of deportation.
The campaign comes in response to what the government describes as an “alarming” rise in the number of international students who arrive in the UK legally on student visas and later seek asylum when their visas expire. According to the Home Office, while many asylum claims are legitimate, ministers are concerned that some students are exploiting the system to remain in the country.
Under the new initiative, roughly 130,000 students and their families will be sent direct communications stating: “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.” The messages also make clear that asylum claims lacking merit will be swiftly refused, and any requests for asylum support will be assessed against strict destitution criteria.
The timing of the campaign aligns with the autumn period, when applications from international students typically increase. It reflects a broader government effort to manage immigration and reduce the number of overstays among students.
Home Office data shows that in the year to June 2025, 41,100 asylum claims were made by individuals who had entered the UK legally, with student visa holders forming the largest group. This is in contrast to 43,600 claims from people arriving on small boats, which accounted for 39% of all claims. In 2024 alone, 16,000 claims came from former student visa holders—nearly six times higher than in 2020. Although there has been a 10% decrease since then, the Home Office aims to reduce these figures further.
The move also follows recent changes to post-study work rules, with overseas graduates now allowed to remain in the UK for 18 months after completing their studies, down from the previous two years. The government says these measures are designed to balance supporting legitimate students while discouraging those seeking to overstay their visas.
This proactive approach marks the first time the Home Office has directly contacted international students en masse, highlighting the seriousness of visa compliance and the consequences of overstaying in the UK.
