During a recent visit to India, UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra defended her government’s immigration proposals amidst rising concerns related to a surge in asylum claims from foreign students. The proposals suggest that some migrants may face a waiting period of up to 20 years before they can settle permanently in the UK, extending the timeline for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years.
Malhotra noted that these measures would affect approximately 2.6 million individuals who entered the UK since 2021, amidst mixed reactions from legislators, including cautious support from the Conservative Party while drawing criticism from Labour MPs.
She acknowledged that about 16,000 international students applied for asylum in the UK after completing their courses last year, citing this increase as reflective of abuse within legal migration routes.
Additionally, statistics up to June 2025 reveal that a further 14,800 students sought asylum, with the actual number of Indian applicants remaining unclear. Malhotra articulated that such visa abuse not only undermines the immigration system but erodes public confidence in its integrity.
As India remains one of the largest sources of international students to the UK, the Minister highlighted that the recent immigration rules could be causing a decline in applicants; the number of Indian students in the UK has reportedly decreased by 11% compared to the previous year.
Despite the tightening of immigration rules, Malhotra emphasized the UK's ongoing commitment to welcoming legitimate international students and mentioned collaboration with universities to ensure authenticity in student submissions.
Furthermore, she discussed the implications of the recent free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and India, which aims to stimulate education partnerships, including UK universities setting up local campuses in India. This FTA is predicted to enhance the UK's GDP and bolster bilateral trading relations, although it encounters challenges amid domestic political tensions surrounding migration issues.
Malhotra reiterated the transformation of the immigration system towards a 'contribution-based' model, where the ability to settle in the UK will hinge on economic contributions rather than duration of residence. However, the proposals have prompted concerns over potential repercussions on recruitment in critical sectors such as healthcare.
Overall, while the government is preparing for a stricter immigration framework, it aims to expand pathways for skilled workers in areas of high demand, amid ongoing discussions focusing on ensuring protection for individuals from visa exploitation.
