An official from Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has disclosed that between 13,000 and 15,000 Pakistani students migrate to the United Kingdom annually, and a significant portion do so with the intention of settling permanently.
Speaking to the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, the official detailed how most students enter the UK’s workforce immediately after graduation, often accepting minimum wage employment to meet visa requirements and eventually apply for residency.
“These individuals typically aim to integrate into the British system, not return,” the official said, underscoring the growing trend of educational migration transitioning into economic migration.
The number aligns with the presence of an estimated 1.8 million Pakistanis already residing in the UK, making it one of the largest overseas Pakistani communities globally.
Language barriers remain a hurdle for many migrants, especially those from rural or lower-income backgrounds. “A lack of fluency in English limits employment options and social mobility,” the FO official noted.
In a policy update, the UK government launched an e-visa system for Pakistani students and workers earlier this week, simplifying access and reducing wait times. This coincided with the signing of a UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue Mechanism Agreement and the formation of the UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council, aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic cooperation.
At the same time, the UK Civil Aviation Authority removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, allowing Pakistani airlines to reapply for direct routes to British airports.
However, recent political signals from the UK suggest upcoming restrictions. British officials have hinted at limiting student visas for applicants from countries like Pakistan that are perceived as high-risk for asylum claims, a reaction to voter dissatisfaction with immigration levels during the UK’s latest local elections.
