The United Kingdom is reportedly planning tougher immigration policies that could make it more difficult for nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to secure visas. This move comes in response to high rates of visa overstays and subsequent asylum claims among these groups. According to a report first published by *The Times* on Tuesday, the UK Home Office is drafting stricter visa rules for countries with higher instances of individuals overstaying their visas and later applying for asylum. Officials point to a growing trend of people entering the UK on work or study visas and then seeking asylum. A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that the upcoming Immigration White Paper will detail proposed reforms to address these issues. “Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system. “To tackle abuse by foreign nationals who arrive on work and study visas and go on to claim asylum, we are building intelligence on the profile of these individuals to identify them earlier and faster. “We keep the visa system under constant review, and where we detect trends, which may undermine our immigration rules, we will not hesitate to take action,” the spokesperson said. The paper, expected later this month, will also outline a broader plan aimed at restoring order to what the government calls a “broken” immigration system. In recent years, Nigerian applicants have faced tighter visa rules, including restrictions on bringing dependents and reduced post-study work opportunities. As a result, student visa applications from Nigeria have significantly declined, and many are now looking to alternative destinations, including the United States, where visa policies have also become more restrictive. Data from 2024 revealed a sharp rise in UK visa rejections for Nigerians, with the rejection rate increasing from 1 in 31 applications in 2022 to 1 in 8 by late 2023. This has led to a 63 per cent drop in UK visas issued to Nigerian nationals over the past year. Full details of the UK’s proposed immigration changes are expected to be made public later in May.