The Home Office has imposed an immediate suspension on study visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, alongside work visas for Afghan nationals, over allegations of asylum system exploitation.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the move as “unprecedented”, stating that the visa system must not be abused. The suspension will be formally introduced via an immigration rules change on Thursday.
According to Home Office figures, 39 per cent of the 100,000 asylum claims in 2025 were made by individuals who entered the UK through legal migration routes, such as study visas. Asylum applications from students of the four affected nations have significantly contributed to a spike between 2021 and September 2025.
Overall asylum grant rates have fallen from 47 per cent in 2024 to 42 per cent in 2025, with notable drops for Syrians (from 98 per cent to 9 per cent), Afghans (51 per cent to 34 per cent) and Pakistanis (53 per cent to 35 per cent).
The Home Secretary previously threatened similar visa halts for Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in November, which led to co-operation agreements and deportation flights for illegal migrants.
