UK's Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra has defended her government's immigration proposals during a visit to India, while expressing concern about a rise in foreign students seeking asylum at the end of their studies.
Under the new plans, some migrants could have to wait up to 20 years before they can settle permanently in the UK, and the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain will be extended from five to ten years.
The proposals will apply to an estimated 2.6 million people who arrived in the country since 2021. They have drawn criticism from some quarters, including a few Labour MPs, even though the Conservatives gave the measures a cautious welcome.
The reforms are in line with what countries around the world do to stop the abuse of their immigration systems, Malhotra told the BBC in the southern Indian city of Chennai, adding that there was a very strong message we also send, which is that we welcome those coming legally.
According to Malhotra, about 16,000 international students from across the world had applied for asylum in the UK last year after completing their courses, which she said was evidence of abuse of legal migration routes.
A further 14,800 students sought asylum this year to June 2025, according to Home Office figures. It is unclear how many of them are Indian nationals.
We've seen visa abuse in the case of legal routes, where people have gone legally and then sought to overstay when their visas weren't extended, Malhotra stated.
She elaborated, If you see that level of abuse, it undermines your immigration system. It undermines public confidence, and the fairness and control people expect.
India remains one of the UK's biggest sources of international students, although demand is cooling. The number of Indian students heading to the UK has decreased by 11% from last year due to tougher immigration rules, causing concern among UK universities that rely on foreign students.
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford notes that India was the top country of origin for foreign students in the UK in 2023-2024, making up 25% of arrivals, followed closely by China at 23% and Nigeria at 8%.
Malhotra emphasized that while Britain still very much welcomes Indian students, the government is collaborating with universities to ensure they are genuine foreign students.
She mentioned that the recently concluded free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and India has encouraged UK universities to open local campuses in India, with Liverpool University announcing plans for a campus in Bengaluru city in 2026.
The FTA is expected to enhance the UK's GDP by £4.8 billion annually and expand bilateral trade between the two countries by £25.5 billion.
As part of the education chapter in the deal, nine UK universities have been cleared to set up campuses across India.
However, these wider trade ambitions face a domestic political climate that has hardened around migration. During a visit to India in October, Sir Keir Starmer indicated that the UK would not relax visa rules for Indian nationals despite Delhi's request for easier mobility in return for trade concessions.
Malhotra dismissed the notion that Britain desires deeper trade while restricting access for Indian professionals, highlighting nearly half-a-million visas granted to Indian nationals last year across work, study, and visitor categories.
The UK is transitioning to a contribution-based immigration system, where settlement and long-term stay depend on a person's economic contributions rather than the duration of their stay.
The government's proposal to overhaul the UK's immigration system aims to reassert control over borders but has faced criticism, particularly relating to its impact on healthcare and social care sectors' recruitment.
Although the reforms are still under consultation, Malhotra noted that they are expanding routes for skilled migrants, including nurses and care workers, in line with the UK's needs.
A survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warned that up to 50,000 nurses could leave the UK if the government proceeds with its immigration proposals, with many of these professionals hailing from India. Past investigations have revealed that several Indian nurses have fallen victim to cross-border visa scams.
However, Malhotra reiterated that the UK is enhancing efforts to protect individuals from exploitation and is cooperating with law enforcement agencies in countries like India to share intelligence and combat these criminal networks.
