A growing number of Nigerians studying in the United Kingdom are exploring legal avenues to extend their stay as their student visas near expiration, against the backdrop of fresh migration rules and warnings by the British government.
Recall that last Sunday, the UK government issued an emergency alert on its official website, disclosing that about 10,000 international students had already been contacted and reminded to leave the country following the expiration of their visas. The announcement follows a wider clampdown on overstaying students as London sharpens its immigration policies.
Figures released show asylum applications from individuals who originally entered the UK on work, study, or tourist visas have more than tripled compared to previous years.
In the 12 months ending June 2025, such claims made up 37 per cent of all asylum applications—roughly 41,400 cases. International students formed the single largest group at 40 per cent, ahead of work visa holders at 29 per cent and visitors at 24 per cent.
The surge has prompted the UK Home Office to launch a direct messaging campaign, sending reminders to students as their visas approach expiry. While some have successfully transitioned to skilled worker visas to avoid removal, many others are left in a state of uncertainty.
According to The Punch, one Nigerian doctoral student described the policy shift as unsettling, noting that the post-study work visa has been shortened from two years to 18 months.
“Before, if you finish your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you could stay for two years, but now it’s 18 months. Without a certificate of sponsorship from an employer, you can’t switch to a skilled worker visa. Once your visa expires, you automatically become an illegal immigrant, which is a criminal offence,” he said.
Similarly, a postgraduate student at the University of Salford described the new policies as deeply worrying for international students who have invested heavily in their education abroad.
Another Nigerian graduate from the University of Cambridge, whose student visa expired on August 30, 2025, said she had already applied for a post-study visa and confirmed that the Home Office had accepted her application. “Most of the students I know have either transitioned to post-study visas or are in the process of doing so,” she added.
For many Nigerian students, the UK’s migration tightening reflects an uncomfortable reality: the country that once marketed itself as a prime destination for international talent is becoming harder to remain in after graduation. Yet, the UK insists it has a responsibility to protect its borders and regulate migration, even when that means sending students back after their lawful stay has ended.
While some will find pathways to stay, whether through post-study routes, employer sponsorship, or skilled worker visas—others face the stark choice of returning home or risking illegality.
