In the first six months of 2026, more than 20% of Kenyan prospective students had their UK study visa applications withdrawn after universities rescinded their admission offers, according to Home Office data analysed by the Financial Times.

The withdrawals stem from a new UK government rule that threatens a university’s licence to sponsor international students if more than 5% of admitted applicants later have their visas rejected, a cut from the previous 10% threshold.

Data shows the Home Office rejected 12.3% of Kenyan student visa applications – about 377 cases – as of March 2026, reflecting a broader rise in refusals across nationalities suspected of using student visas for asylum routes.

Universities say the surge in offer withdrawals is driven by the need to protect their sponsorship status rather than by student choice, with many institutions pulling back offers to stay within the new 5% rejection limit.

Around 15 UK universities have reportedly halted international recruitment altogether this year, further tightening the pipeline for Kenyan applicants.

Kenyan students who had already invested in tuition deposits, travel arrangements and accommodation now face sudden loss of their study plans, with many reporting financial and logistical setbacks.

Nigeria experienced a similar spike, with a 22.7% withdrawal rate in the same period, highlighting the broader impact of the UK’s tightened visa regime on African applicants.