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, with the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain extended from five to 10 years. These proposals will encompass an estimated 2.6 million people who arrived in the UK since 2021 and have received a mixed reception, with some criticism from Labour MPs and cautious support from Conservative members.
Malhotra highlighted that 16,000 international students applied for asylum in the UK last year, citing this as evidence of misuse of legal migration channels. This year, 14,800 students sought asylum by June 2025, with uncertainty surrounding the number of Indian nationals among them.
She commented on the concerns regarding visa abuse, indicating that this undermines the integrity of the immigration system. The UK has recently seen a significant decline in Indian students, which decreased by 11% due to the introduction of stricter immigration rules, raising concerns for UK universities affected financially by lower enrollment of international students.
Malhotra asserted that the UK continues to welcome students from India, citing a recent free trade agreement (FTA) expected to enhance UK-India cooperation in various sectors, including education. While discussing immigration control, she stressed the importance of assessing contributions based on skills rather than longevity of stay in the country.
The proposed changes are already catalyzing a heated discourse within the political landscape, particularly among healthcare sectors worried about recruitment challenges should immigration measures tighten further. With ongoing investigations into cross-border visa scams affecting many abroad, Malhotra emphasized that efforts are being made to protect individuals from exploitation and to strengthen collaboration with international law enforcement.
