UK institutions cancel Nigerian students’ admission offers over tighter visa controls

Universities in the United Kingdom are withdrawing admission offers to Nigerian and Pakistani students amid rising visa refusals and stricter immigration regulations.

According to Vanguard, citing Financial Times analysis of Home Office data, withdrawn study visa applications from Nigerians increased from 4.5 per cent in early 2025 to 22.7 per cent during the first half of 2026.

Pakistan recorded an increase from three per cent to 40.9 per cent, while Bangladesh rose from 7.1 per cent to 23.5 per cent.

Universities risk losing international recruitment licences if visa refusal rates exceed five per cent.

Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor of Sunderland University, said rising refusals had prompted institutions to reduce recruitment from affected countries.

Jamie Arrowsmith of Universities UK International said “visa processing has become markedly less predictable”.

University leaders warned that declining international enrolment could trigger job losses and course closures.

The Home Office maintained that responsible recruitment remains necessary to protect immigration integrity.