Nigerian Students in UK Scramble for work visa Amid Visa Crackdown

  Some Nigerian students in the United Kingdom are massisvely applying for work visas as UK student visa rules tighten drastically.

The new UK student visa rules for Nigerian students follow stricter migration measures introduced by the British government recently.

The UK Home Office revealed in an alert last Sunday that 10,000 students were directed to leave immediately.

Officials said the enforcement followed a surge in asylum claims from students, workers, and visitors across the United Kingdom.

Data indicated asylum applications tripled under the last administration, with students contributing 40 percent of all recorded claims.

Authorities launched a campaign directly messaging students about expiring visas, warning meritless asylum requests would be rejected immediately.

Officials emphasized that students without legal grounds to remain in Britain would face swift removal under the policy.

Figures from the UK House of Commons Library showed 732,285 international students studied in Britain during 2023/24.

Nigeria remained the third-largest contributor with 34,500 students, despite a drop in total international enrolments during the year.

Nigerian Students React

Some Nigerian students said panic grew after stricter UK student visa rules for Nigerian students were enforced nationwide.

A doctoral student in Scotland revealed peers switched to skilled worker visas, while many others remained extremely uncertain.

He explained graduates previously enjoyed two years post-study but the period had now been shortened to 18 months.

Another postgraduate at the University of Salford described the policy as devastating, citing restrictions on skilled worker transitions.

He said from July 22, 2025, new student visa holders could not switch to shortage occupation roles.

The student, who began his programme in March 2024, secured a skilled worker visa valid until 2028.

When asked about returning home, he rejected the idea, citing insecurity, economic hardship, and poor governance in Nigeria.

Future Implications

The tightening of UK student visa rules for Nigerian students has triggered concerns about Britain’s global academic competitiveness.

Reports already show declining enrolments as international students reconsider Britain, once regarded as the most welcoming destination worldwide.

Nigerian students now face tough decisions, weighing legal strategies to extend stays or returning home under difficult conditions.