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 10 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 Chennai, adding that there was a very strong message we also send, which is that we welcome those coming legally.
According to Malhotra, approximately 16,000 international students from various countries applied for asylum in the UK last year after completing their courses, which she cited as evidence of misuse of legal migration routes.
A further 14,800 students sought asylum this year to June 2025, with the latest Home Office figures showing uncertainty about the exact number of Indian nationals among them.
Malhotra highlighted that the increase in asylum claims indicates visa abuse, undermining public confidence in the immigration system. She reiterated the government's commitment to protect those from exploitation by visa fraudsters and affirmed cooperation with law enforcement in India.
As a response to the changing landscape, Malhotra announced ongoing discussions with universities to ensure the authenticity of foreign students. While India currently represents a significant source of international students for the UK, numbers have declined by 11% from the previous year due to tightening immigration rules.
Amid political pressures relating to migration and trade, the UK government aims to establish a contribution-based immigration model, focusing on economic input rather than duration of residence.
