Aakash Chaudhary
Wed, 02 July 2025
Kathmandu – The United Kingdom has significantly strengthened its immigration controls, directly impacting international students, including those from Nepal, as it moves to reduce overall net migration. Despite a sustained and remarkable increase in Nepali student numbers in recent years, new and proposed policies are creating a considerably more challenging environment for Nepali individuals seeking long-term stays.
According to Universities UK, based on UK Home Office data, students from Nepal saw a remarkable 70.1% increase in sponsored study visas granted in the year ending March 2024 compared to the previous year.
This places Nepal among the nationalities with the largest relative increases. This follows significant growth in earlier periods; according to ICEF Monitor, analysing UK Home Office data, there were 44% more visa issuances to Nepali students in 2024 than in 2023, reflecting continued strong demand.
These increases confirm Nepal's position as a crucial source country for the UK, even as overall international student visa numbers have seen declines for other nationalities.
The most immediate and impactful change for students is the ban on dependants for most Master's programme students, a policy confirmed for 2025. This directly affects many students who previously planned to bring family members.
According to a GOV.UK press release dated 1 July 2025, major immigration reforms are being delivered to "restore order and control," with new rules to be laid in Parliament.
Further significant tightening measures are outlined in the UK government's May 2025 White Paper, "Restoring Control over the Immigration System." While some elements will be introduced gradually, according to analyses by Gherson Solicitors LLP and other legal experts, proposals include a potential reduction of the Graduate Route visa to just 18 months, increasing pressure on graduates to secure skilled employment swiftly.
Additionally, the government is exploring a levy on universities' international student income, which could translate into higher tuition fees for students. Universities are subject to more stringent compliance targets, encompassing elevated course completion and enrollment rates, alongside reduced visa refusal rates. Inability to achieve these objectives may compromise institutions' capacity to support international students.
According to various student advisory platforms citing official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) changes, the UKVI, the division of the Home Office responsible for the UK's visa system, increased the required maintenance funds for student visas from 2 January 2025. Students must now demonstrate £1,483 per month for London and £1,136 per month for outside London.
In Nepal, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) continues to manage the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) process for studying abroad. The MOEST NOC portal (noc.moest.gov.np) remains the official channel for applications, with eligibility criteria regularly updated.
Nepal's Education Minister, Raghuji Pant, on 14 June 2025, advocated for restricting NOCs for students who have not yet obtained full diplomas after Grade 12, citing concerns about misleading consultancies and capital outflow.
While the MOEST does not publicly verify outbound student numbers by destination, the MOEST issued 112,593 NOCs for citizens to study abroad in the fiscal year covering 17 July 2023 to 15 July 2024. This was a slight decrease from 117,563 NOCs issued in 2022/23.
Meanwhile, diplomatic ties between Nepal and the UK remain robust. According to the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal and confirmed by historical entries on GOV.UK, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's official visit to Nepal on 4 February 2025 underscored the enduring bilateral relationship. Economic cooperation is also a focus; according to a press release from the Embassy of Nepal in London on 28 February 2025, discussions on boosting UK Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nepal across sectors like green projects and IT were highlighted, which could indirectly benefit future educational and employment prospects.
According toGOV.UK's Education Hub Blog, as the UK introduces its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) on 1 July 2025, academic institutions and researchers are advised to understand its implications. This scheme primarily aims for transparency regarding foreign powers' activities, though most legitimate academic work is unlikely to be impacted.
The evolving policy landscape means prospective Nepali students must meticulously plan and adapt to new regulations while pursuing highly-regarded UK qualifications.
The United Kingdom's evolving immigration policies present a more challenging yet navigable landscape for Nepali students, despite significant recent growth in their numbers. To succeed, aspiring students must meticulously research updated visa rules, financial requirements, and post-study work options, preparing rigorously for increased competition. Get some training and skills beforehand, make sure you have finance available to support yourself at least for the first six months of your studies and tell your parents you are in the UK as a student and won’t be able to send money home. Embrace resilience, focus on academic excellence and proactively seek opportunities, as your determination and adaptability will be key to thriving in this dynamic environment.
Nepali students continue to adapt to a changing global education landscape.
