International students ‘could be banned’ from universities over visa abuse

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNew rules require universities to achieve a minimum 90 per cent course completion rate (Getty/iStock)The Home Office has unveiled new reforms that could revoke universities' rights to recruit international students if high drop-out rates suggest visa abuse, aiming to tighten controls on those using study visas as a route to asylum. New sponsorship rules require universities to achieve a minimum 90 per cent course completion rate and a 95 per cent course enrolment rate for international students, an increase from previous thresholds of 85 per cent and 90 per cent respectively. From summer 2027, a traffic light rating system will be introduced for universities; those rated 'red' will face restrictions on student recruitment and must fund a 12-month action plan, with the ultimate risk of losing their sponsorship rights if improvements are not made. In the year up to March 2026, 10,835 individuals on study visas claimed asylum in the UK, though the Home Office reported a 30 per cent decrease in student asylum claims over the last year. Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp emphasised that while genuine international students are welcome, the visa system must not be exploited as a 'backdoor to asylum', a view supported by Universities UK which also highlighted the £37 billion economic contribution of international students. In fullUniversities face international student ban if visa abuse is suspectedThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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