The UK government has announced it will suspend the issuance of study visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan starting this month. In addition, skilled work visas for Afghans will also be halted. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood cited widespread misuse of visa routes as the main reason for the measures.
According to Home Office data, individuals from these four countries were the most likely to apply for asylum after arriving in the UK on a study visa. A government spokesperson said, “The government is clamping down on visa abuse so the UK can maintain its ability and proud tradition of helping those genuinely in need.”
Official figures indicate that asylum claims made by individuals who initially arrived on study visas have more than tripled between 2021 and 2025. Currently, 13% of all asylum claims come from people who originally entered the UK for education. Mahmood described the decision as “unprecedented,” stating that it aims to prevent exploitation of the UK’s generosity and restore order and control to the country’s borders.
The Home Office highlighted that many applicants from the four countries cited destitution in their asylum claims. Around 16,000 people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan are currently receiving support in the UK. Since 2021, approximately 95% of Afghan students have applied for asylum, while applications from Myanmar students increased sixteen-fold, and those from Cameroon and Sudan more than quadrupled.
On ending work visas for Afghans, the Home Office pointed to the large number of asylum claims filed once work visas expired, warning that this trend poses an “unsustainable threat to the UK’s asylum system.”
The decision comes against a backdrop of ongoing instability in the affected countries: Afghanistan faces volatile security conditions and border tensions with Pakistan; Sudan is experiencing civil war that the UN describes as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis; Cameroon faces separatist unrest in its Anglophone regions; and Myanmar remains embroiled in civil conflict following a 2021 military coup.
The new visa restrictions will be enacted through changes to Immigration Rules, effective from Thursday, 5 March. Previously, the Home Office had pressured Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to accept deportations, leading to the resumption of return flights.
The move reflects the UK government’s increasingly strict approach to immigration. Last week, it was announced that refugee protection would be reduced to 30 months to curb small boat crossings, which totaled 41,472 in 2025 — nearly 5,000 more than the previous year. Despite this, the UK remains the sixth largest refugee resettlement country referred by the UNHCR, highlighting its continued support for those genuinely in need.
The proposals have sparked debate in Parliament. Around 40 Labour MPs criticized plans to change permanent settlement rights for existing migrants, calling the retrospective approach “un-British” and warning it may worsen skills shortages, particularly in the care sector. Liberal Democrat spokesman Max Wilkinson agreed that student visas should be reserved for education, but noted that the UK lacks controlled routes for refugees and effective return agreements for rejected claims.
News Source: BBC News
LawSentis thoughts:
While the government’s measures aim to prevent visa misuse, LawSentis emphasizes that these restrictions also highlight the ongoing need for clear, safe pathways for genuine students and refugees. Any blanket suspension risks affecting legitimate applicants and may create additional challenges for businesses, universities, and families. We advise individuals from affected countries to seek professional guidance before applying for UK visas to ensure compliance with the new rules.