ISLAMABAD/LONDON – UK universities are tightening recruitment policies for Pakistani and other countries students amid rising visa refusals and stricter immigration compliance rules.
The recent developments placed international students under pressure, particularly applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and other naitons. During first half of 2026, around 10.5% of UK study visa applications were withdrawn, compared with 2.3% during the same period in 2025 and just 0.4% in 2023.
Universities List
| No. | University | Reported restriction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chester | Reported restrictions on recruitment from Pakistan |
| 2 | University of Wolverhampton | Reported restrictions on Pakistani applicants |
| 3 | University of East London | Reported recruitment restrictions |
| 4 | University of Sunderland | Reported restrictions for some applicant groups or intakes |
| 5 | Coventry University | Reported recruitment restrictions |
| 6 | University of Hertfordshire | Reported restrictions on recruitment from Pakistan |
| 7 | Oxford Brookes University | Reported restrictions affecting certain intakes or markets |
| 8 | Glasgow Caledonian University | Reported recruitment restrictions |
| 9 | BPP University | Reported restrictions on some applications |
| 10 | University of Derby | Reported recruitment restrictions |
| 11 | London Metropolitan University | Reported recruitment restrictions |
The increase has been particularly among Pakistani applicants, whose reported withdrawal rate climbed to 40.9% in the first half of 2026, compared with 3% a year earlier. Nigeria experienced a similar surge, with withdrawals rising from 4.5% to 22.7%, while Bangladesh recorded an increase from 7.1% to 23.5%.
India’s withdrawal rate also increased, reaching 5.2%, compared with 1.2% during the corresponding period of the previous year. These figures highlight the growing uncertainty surrounding student visa applications, although withdrawal rates alone do not explain why individual students abandon their applications.
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A major factor behind the growing number of withdrawals is the relationship between university admissions and immigration requirements. International students generally apply for a study visa after receiving an offer from a university and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, commonly known as a CAS.
If a university later withdraws its offer or cancels the CAS, the student may no longer be able to proceed with the original visa application. Universities have increasingly reviewed and cancelled offers as part of their efforts to manage compliance risks. Other reasons for withdrawals include processing delays, changes in students’ circumstances and applicants choosing to withdraw rather than receive a formal refusal. Under the relevant compliance framework, withdrawn applications are generally treated differently from refused applications when a university’s visa refusal rate is assessed.
The pressure on universities intensified amid tightening of the Basic Compliance Assessment requirements. The permitted student visa refusal-rate threshold was reduced from 10% to below 5%, with the revised requirements taking effect around June 2026 and associated changes being introduced in stages.
Institutions that fail to meet the required standards may face adverse compliance ratings, corrective action plans and reductions in their allocations of CAS documents. Such reductions can amount to at least 10%, while serious or continuing compliance failures may ultimately threaten a university’s permission to sponsor international students.
Enrolment and course completion requirements have also become more demanding, increasing the pressure on universities to monitor the outcomes of their international recruitment activities.
UK government expressed concerns about the possibility of student immigration routes being misused by people who subsequently claim asylum or remain in the country beyond their authorised period. This has contributed to closer scrutiny of applications from certain countries. However, higher refusal rates do not establish that every applicant from an affected nationality presents an immigration risk.
Processing delays, particularly for applicants from South Asia and Africa during early 2026, have also contributed to uncertainty and may have encouraged some students to abandon their applications. The situation has therefore created challenges for both universities attempting to manage compliance requirements and genuine applicants seeking to continue their education in Britain.
