The Authorities is ready to subject a bombshell ban on visas for nationals from 4 international locations, as Residence Secretary Shabana Mahmood accused them of exploiting Britain’s generosity to assert asylum. Examine visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan have been halted, as have work visas for Afghans.
Ministers say the transfer comes amid mounting proof that some people are utilizing authorized migration routes as a backdoor to lodge asylum claims as soon as within the UK. The Residence Workplace described the suspension as an “unprecedented” step, marking the primary time such sweeping visa bans have been imposed on particular nationalities.
Ms Mahmood mentioned: “Britain will at all times present refuge to folks fleeing struggle and persecution, however our visa system should not be abused.
“That’s the reason I’m taking the unprecedented resolution to refuse visas for these nationals looking for to take advantage of our generosity.
“I’ll restore order and management to our borders.”
In response to Residence Workplace figures, round 39 % of the 100,000 individuals who claimed asylum in 2025 had initially entered the UK by a authorized route, similar to a research visa.
Asylum claims from college students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan account for the majority of a pointy rise recorded between 2021 and September 2025, officers mentioned.
The visa ban will formally come into power by a change to immigration guidelines on Thursday.
The Residence Secretary beforehand threatened a blanket halt on UK visas for Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in November except their governments agreed to just accept the return of unlawful migrants.
That warning prompted co-operation agreements with all three nations, paving the way in which for deportation flights to renew.
Ms Mahmood is predicted to unveil additional plans to tighten the UK’s asylum system in a speech on Thursday.
