Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has imposed an emergency brake on study visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, accusing them of exploiting Britain's generosity to claim asylum. Work visas for Afghans have also been halted.
Mahmood said on Tuesday: 'Britain will always provide refuge to people fleeing war and persecution, but our visa system must not be abused. That is why I am taking the unprecedented decision to refuse visas for those nationals seeking to exploit our generosity. I will restore order and control to our borders.'
According to Home Office figures, 39% of the 100,000 people who claimed asylum in 2025 did so after arriving through a legal migration route such as a study visa. Asylum applications by students from the four countries represented the most significant part of a rise between 2021 and September 2025.
The visa ban will be officially introduced via an immigration rules change on Thursday. Mahmood previously threatened a similar halt for Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in November, leading to cooperation agreements and deportation flights.
Mahmood is expected to outline further measures to toughen the asylum system on Thursday, including telling every refugee that their status is temporary and lasts just 30 months. Claimants from countries deemed safe by the UK will be expected to return.
