Pakistanis Exploit UK Visa Loopholes as Asylum Claims Hit Record High. New UK government data reveals that thousands of Pakistani nationals are using temporary visas – such as holiday, work, and student visas – to enter Britain legally and later file asylum claims in an attempt to secure permanent residency. The sharp rise has raised urgent questions about the UK’s immigration controls and visa system.
According to official figures, nearly 10,000 Pakistanis entered the UK last year on legitimate visas before switching their status to asylum seekers. This marks the highest number of such claims ever recorded and positions Pakistan as the top country for visa-to-asylum conversions.
Pakistan Now Accounts for One in Ten UK Asylum Claims
Pakistan has emerged as the largest source of asylum applications, overtaking 175 other countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Eritrea.
In the year to June:
- 11,234 asylum applications were submitted by Pakistani nationals
- This represents 10% of all UK asylum claims
- Compared to just 2,154 claims in 2022, this is a five-fold increase
Officials say the surge indicates a rapidly growing trend of individuals exploiting the UK’s visa system from within the country—not only through illegal entry routes like small boats.
How Pakistanis Are Using Legal Visas to Seek Asylum
Government data obtained through Freedom of Information requests shows that 40,739 migrants claimed asylum last year after entering with legitimate visas.
Breakdown of visa-to-asylum switches:
- 16,000+ students
- 11,400 skilled workers
- 9,400 visitors
This means 37.6% of all asylum seekers arrived legally.
Pakistan Leads in Every Visa Category
Pakistan appears in the top three for each major visa category:
| Visa Route | Asylum Claims by Pakistanis (2024) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Student | 5,888 | 1st |
| Work Visa | 2,578 | 2nd |
| Visitor Visa | 902 | 2nd |
Combined, Pakistanis lodged 9,783 visa-to-asylum switches, nearly one-quarter of such cases.
ONS Expert: “The System Is Being Gamed From the Inside”
Jamie Jenkins, former ONS head of health and employment statistics, said the numbers expose a major weakness in the UK visa system.
“With 162,000 visas issued to Pakistanis in the past year, it is clear the visa system is directly fueling record asylum claims. This reveals an internal loophole in the system.”
He added that this trend worsens public mistrust, especially in communities still dealing with the aftermath of grooming gang scandals involving men of Pakistani heritage.
According to Jenkins, the issue cannot be solved through border enforcement alone:
“The rise of Pakistan in the asylum league tables proves the migration system is failing internally—not just at the Channel. This requires honest reforms, faster removals for weak claims, and strict visa controls.”
Why Are Pakistani Asylum Claims Rising?
Peter Walsh of Oxford University’s Migration Observatory pointed to multiple potential reasons:
- Political instability
- Worsening economic conditions
- Environmental crises
- Insurgency and security tensions
He emphasized that motivations vary and can be difficult to measure.
Government Response: Tougher Rules Under New Asylum Crackdown
Following the surge, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood introduced a stricter asylum regime:
Key changes include:
- Visa overstayers or illegal entrants must now wait 20 years before applying for settlement
- Asylum grants are temporary, reviewed every 30 months
- Individuals may be returned if their home country becomes safe
A Labour spokesperson criticized the previous Conservative government:
“The Tories allowed migration to spiral out of control for 14 years. This government is restoring order with the biggest border reforms in a generation.”
Shadow Home Secretary: “The System Is Being Abused”
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, condemned the surge in asylum claims:
“Tens of thousands are walking through the front door on legal visas and staying for good. Asylum cannot be used as a back-door route by people who came to study or visit and then refuse to leave.”
He called for urgent action to close visa loopholes and improve border controls.
Conclusion
The dramatic rise in Pakistani asylum claims exposes critical weaknesses in the UK’s visa and immigration system. With thousands entering legally before seeking asylum, both political and security concerns are intensifying, placing pressure on the government to tighten visa policies and restore public trust.
