Around 15 universities in the United Kingdom have reportedly stopped recruiting students from Pakistan in 2026 as stricter student visa rules create difficulties for international applicants. The development comes as universities face greater pressure to keep visa rejection rates within the limits set by the UK government.
According to an analysis of UK Home Office data by the Financial Times, 40.9% of study visa applications from Pakistan were withdrawn during the first six months of 2026. This was a sharp increase from 3% in the same period last year.
A visa application may be withdrawn when a university cancels an admission offer after a student has started the visa process. Although students can withdraw applications for other reasons, universities have linked the recent increase mainly to the cancellation of admission offers.
The stricter rules require universities to keep their student visa refusal rate below 5%, compared with the previous limit of 10%. Institutions that fail to meet the requirements risk losing their permission to sponsor international students. The government says these measures are intended to prevent misuse of the student visa system.
The situation could make it harder for Pakistani students to secure admission to UK universities. Applicants are advised to check a university’s latest admission policy and visa requirements before paying fees or making travel plans.
