UK student visa squeeze and £925 levy planned for 2028: what applicants face

British universities are warning that falling international student applications could undermine a proposed £925 annual levy on institutions in England, planned to start in August 2028. Tighter UK immigration rules — including restrictions on dependants, tougher university sponsorship requirements and a targeted visa ban affecting applicants from Cameroon, Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar — are deterring candidates from major source markets, university leaders say.

Key facts

• Universities in England would pay £925 a year for each international student from August 2028.
• The money is earmarked for maintenance grants for disadvantaged domestic students and for higher education and skills.
• Most international students have been barred from bringing partners or children to the UK since January 2024.
• Universities' permitted visa refusal threshold has been cut from 10% to 5%.
• A targeted visa ban affects applicants from Cameroon, Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
• China, India and Nigeria were the largest sources of sponsored study visas in the year to June 2026.

What is the proposed £925 levy?

Under the proposed policy, universities in England would pay £925 annually for every international student they enrol from August 2028, with the proceeds reinvested in higher education and skills development. The levy is intended to help restore maintenance grants for disadvantaged domestic students on courses linked to the government's industrial strategy, including engineering and healthcare.

Eligible students from households earning up to £30,000 a year could receive up to £1,000 in each of their first two years and £750 in later years. Government projections estimate the levy will raise £445 million in 2028–2029, £465 million in 2029–2030 and £480 million in 2030–2031.

Who is affected?

Home Office figures show China, India and Nigeria were the three largest sources of sponsored study visas in the year ending June 2026, with 86,368, 82,523 and 26,060 visas respectively. Other countries supplying international students include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Applicants from Cameroon, Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar face a targeted visa ban. Since January 2024, most international students have not been allowed to bring partners or children with them.

Why are student numbers falling?

University leaders say tighter immigration rules have made Britain less attractive to prospective students, particularly from Africa and Asia. The Home Office has also tightened sponsorship requirements for universities, lowering the permitted visa refusal threshold from 10% to 5%.

Libby Hackett, chief executive of the Russell Group, said the latest data shows a concerning fall in study visa applications, and argued the proposed tax on international students is not the right way to fund support for UK students. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents 142 institutions, said the government's income projections are already unrealistic.

Some universities have withdrawn admission offers over fears that further visa refusals could jeopardise their ability to recruit international students. The University of Sunderland plans to cut £40 million ($53 million) from its annual operating costs by September 2027 amid declining international recruitment and increased visa refusals.

What this means for travellers

Students from the countries named in the data should expect continued scrutiny of sponsorship and visa applications, and should check the rules for their nationality before applying — applicants from Cameroon, Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar face a targeted ban. Those planning to bring a partner or children should note that most international students have been barred from doing so since January 2024.

Although universities would pay the levy directly, the source notes they could pass some of the cost to international students through higher tuition fees. Favour Samuel, president of the National Union of Students in England, warned the levy would be one more deterrent for international students.

Government figures project the levy raising £445 million in its first year, rising to £480 million by 2030–2031; university leaders argue those totals may not be reached if overseas recruitment keeps falling. The levy is scheduled to begin in August 2028.