The UK government is launching a bold new campaign. Consequently, it directly targets international students. Importantly, the message focuses on student visa compliance. Officials are contacting tens of thousands of students. They are sending texts and emails. The Home Office is leading this effort.
This action responds to an alarming trend. Therefore, many students arrive legally on visas. Later, they claim asylum after their visas expire. Ministers find this spike very concerning. The government will contact about 130,000 people. This number includes students and their families.
The communication delivers a very clear warning. It states a simple rule for student visa compliance. “You must leave the UK without legal right to remain.” It further promises enforcement. “We will remove you if you don’t,” it says. Already, 10,000 students received this message. Their visas are expiring soon. Tens of thousands more will get it this autumn.
The full message outlines strict consequences. It says meritless asylum claims will get refused swiftly. Officials will assess requests for support stringently. People must meet destitution criteria for help. The core directive reinforces student visa compliance. It repeats the order to leave without legal status.
Recently, political attention focused on small boat arrivals. However, visa overstayers present a similar problem. Home Office data reveals a telling comparison. About 43,600 asylum seekers came by small boat. Meanwhile, 41,100 entered legally first then claimed asylum.
Moreover, students form the largest group in this category. Last year, 16,000 asylum claims came from student visa holders. This figure is nearly six times higher than in 2020. The number recently dropped by 10%. Nevertheless, ministers demand a further reduction.
Therefore, the government already took other steps. It reduced post-study work rights for graduates. The permission period fell from two years to eighteen months. This change aims to discourage overstaying. The new campaign reinforces this tougher stance.
Ultimately, the government emphasizes strict student visa compliance. It is proactively messaging people now. The goal is to ensure visitors understand the rules. They must depart when their legal permission ends.
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