LONDON, Dec 1: The number of Nepali students coming to the UK for higher studies has jumped sharply over the past year, rising 89 percent despite tighter immigration rules, housing shortages, and restrictions on bringing dependents.

According to the UK Home Office, as of September 2025, 439,924 study visas were issued globally, with 20,572 going to Nepali students. This surge places Nepal fifth among countries sending students to the UK, behind India, China, Pakistan, and Nigeria. Previously, the United States was in the top five, but Nepal has now replaced it.

Experts attribute this growth to the aggressive promotion of UK education in Nepal and targeted outreach by consultancy firms and UK universities. The relatively faster visa processing, higher success rates, and simpler procedures compared to Australia and Canada have also made the UK an attractive destination. Over the past five years, an estimated 50,000 Nepali students have arrived in the UK. Word-of-mouth referrals among peers and family have further boosted arrivals.

While student visas have risen, dependent visas have dropped dramatically. Only 20,366 dependent visas were issued, down 57 percent from last year, following January 2024 rules restricting international students from bringing partners or children, except for postgraduate research programs.

Overall net migration in the UK has fallen by roughly two-thirds, with the gap between arrivals and departures shrinking from 649,000 to 204,000, largely due to fewer work and study entrants. Work permit visas also fell 36 percent to 182,553, reflecting stricter visa requirements. Applicants must now earn at least £38,700 annually, up from £26,200 previously.

Meanwhile, asylum claims have hit record levels. From September 2024 to September 2025, 110,051 people applied for asylum, a significant jump from the previous year. The number of irregular arrivals via small boats rose 53 percent, with 45,659 people crossing the English Channel, nearing the 2022 high of 45,774. Hotel-based asylum seekers also increased slightly by 2 percent over the same period.

Despite stricter policies and tighter borders, Nepali students continue to see the UK as a top destination, highlighting the country’s growing appeal for higher education.

Nepal News Monitoring Service

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