UK Universities Slash Intake from Pakistan & Bangladesh as Visa Crackdown Intensifies. Thousands of genuine students now face delays, rejections, and sudden admission freezes across major UK universities.
A new wave of restrictions, triggered by rising visa refusals and alleged misuse of the student route, has pushed several institutions to pause or tighten admissions for applicants from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
According to a detailed report by the Financial Times, at least nine UK universities have now classified the two countries as “high-risk,” forcing stricter checks and limited recruitment for the 2025–26 academic cycle.
Why UK Universities Are Cutting Back Admissions
Over the past year, the UK has introduced tougher rules for international student visas. The Home Office lowered the acceptable visa refusal threshold for universities from 10% to just 5%, putting significant pressure on institutions to filter applicants more aggressively.
However, the 2025 refusal rates for Pakistani and Bangladeshi students were 18% and 22%, far above the compliance limit.
To protect their sponsorship licences, universities have now taken preventive measures—many of which directly affect students who planned to join this year.
Universities That Have Suspended or Restricted Intake
Several well-known UK universities have temporarily halted or sharply reduced admissions from Pakistan and Bangladesh. These include:
Full or Partial Pauses in Recruitment
- University of Chester – suspended admissions from Pakistan until autumn 2026 after a “recent and unexpected rise in visa refusals.”
- University of Wolverhampton – no longer accepting undergraduate applications from Pakistan or Bangladesh.
- University of East London – paused recruitment from Pakistan.
- University of Sunderland
- Coventry University
- University of Hertfordshire
- Oxford Brookes University
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- BPP University (private provider)
These institutions describe the move as “risk-mitigation” to avoid crossing the new 5% visa refusal limit.
UK Crackdown
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Universities restricting intake | 9+ UK institutions |
| Visa refusal rate (Pakistan) | ~18% |
| Visa refusal rate (Bangladesh) | ~22% |
| New refusal threshold (Home Office) | 5% |
| Total student visa refusals (year to Sept 2025) | 23,036 |
| Share of refusals from Pakistan & Bangladesh | 1 in every 2 cases |
| Pakistani student visas granted in 2025 | ~36,900 (3rd highest nationality) |
| Common issue cited | Asylum claims after arrival |
These figures show pressure building on both universities and applicants, especially those planning to start in 2026.
Why the Crackdown Happened
Rising Visa Refusal Rates
The Home Office began tightening rules after seeing a sharp rise in incomplete financial documentation, weak study intentions, and inconsistent past travel histories among applicants.
Surge in Asylum Claims
A surprising number of international students reportedly applied for asylum after landing in the UK — raising concerns that the study route was being used as a backdoor for entry.
Poor Oversight of Recruitment Agents
Critics argue many universities rely heavily on overseas agents who do not properly screen candidates, leading to low-quality applications and inflated refusal rates.
Sponsor Licence Threat
If any institution crosses the 5% refusal threshold, it risks losing the right to sponsor international students — a major financial and reputational blow.
This forced universities to act before the situation worsened.
Impact on Students: Thousands Caught in Admission Uncertainty
The sudden freezes mean:
- Students with conditional offers may face unexpected delays.
- Some may be asked to defer until 2026 or switch universities.
- Visa applications may undergo stricter interviews and documentation checks.
- Students who already paid partial fees could face processing slowdowns.
A Lahore-based education adviser described the situation as “heartbreaking,” explaining that genuine students are suffering because of the actions of a small minority.
How Universities Reacted
Universities UK International (UUKi), the official body representing higher education institutions, acknowledged the seriousness of the crisis. They are now advising universities to:
- Diversify student recruitment
- Strengthen agent monitoring
- Improve pre-CAS vetting
- Adopt risk-based admissions strategies
The goal is to keep international education open while ensuring compliance with new Home Office rules. Meanwhile, the Home Office insists the crackdown is necessary to protect the integrity of the student visa system.
What Students Should Expect in 2026
Students from Pakistan and Bangladesh planning to apply for the upcoming cycle should prepare for:
More document verification
Financial proof, academic background, and ties to home country will be checked more strictly.
Longer processing times
Due to increased scrutiny, visa and CAS issuance may take more time.
Potential refusal spikes
Unless refusal rates fall sharply, many universities will maintain their “high-risk” category status into 2026.
Pressure to use trusted agents
Universities may only accept applications submitted through vetted, high-performing recruitment partners.
What This Means for UK Universities
The restrictions may protect compliance, but universities warn they could lose millions in international tuition revenue. Institutions dependent on foreign students — especially mid-tier universities — may struggle financially if the freeze continues.
The bigger concern is the future reputation of UK education. Excessive barriers might push students towards Canada, Australia, Germany, or other European destinations.
Conclusion
The UK’s tighter visa rules have created serious challenges for Pakistani and Bangladeshi students. With higher refusal rates and stricter compliance standards, many universities have paused admissions to protect their licences. Genuine students now face uncertainty, making early planning and careful documentation more important than ever.
