Several major universities in the United Kingdom have stopped taking new applications from Pakistan and Bangladesh as concerns grow over rising visa refusals and misuse of student visas. Institutions say they are acting under tougher Home Office rules, which now require strict compliance checks.

Universities report that many students arriving on study visas later apply for asylum, prompting the UK government to classify both countries as high-risk. As a result, universities must now review applicants more closely and avoid admitting anyone who appears to be using the system for purposes other than education.

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At least nine universities, including the University of Chester, University of East London, and University of Wolverhampton, have imposed temporary recruitment bans. Some have extended the suspension until autumn 2026 after seeing unexpected peaks in visa refusals.

New rules introduced in September require universities to keep visa refusal rates below 5 percent. But refusal rates for students from Pakistan and Bangladesh have climbed to 18 and 22 percent, significantly above the threshold. Together, applicants from both countries now account for nearly half of all student visa refusals in the past year.

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Lower-fee universities, which depend heavily on international enrolments, are under particular strain. Institutions such as Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Hertfordshire have been placed under action plans and have paused admissions from both countries for certain intakes. Others, including BPP University, Oxford Brookes, and London Metropolitan University, have introduced similar restrictions while adjusting to new compliance demands.

Officials say the measures aim to protect student sponsor licenses and ensure that only genuine applicants enter the UK through education routes.