UK suspends student visas for citizens of four countries

The United Kingdom has announced a suspension of student visas for citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, alongside a halt on work visas for Afghan nationals.

The decision comes amid growing anti-immigration sentiment and a sharp rise in asylum applications from these countries.

The UK Home Office stated that the unprecedented restrictions are being imposed as political asylum claims from student visa holders have surged dramatically. Between 2021 and 2025, asylum applications from students from these four nations increased by more than 470 percent.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasised, “Britain will always offer refuge to those fleeing war and persecution, but our visa system cannot be exploited. I have taken the unprecedented step of refusing visas to citizens of these specific countries who seek to take advantage of our generosity.”

Immigration has become a major political issue in the UK, with the far-right Reform UK party gaining traction due to anti-immigration stances. To counter public discontent and curb Reform UK’s rise, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has tightened asylum procedures and accelerated deportations of individuals entering the country illegally.

The UK Press Association reported that the visa restrictions will be formally implemented on Thursday, alongside an anticipated Home Office speech by Mahmood outlining further measures to tighten the asylum process.

Under the new rules, asylum status for applicants in the UK will be reviewed every 30 months, a move aimed at making the country less attractive to potential asylum seekers.

The Home Office also noted that by 2025, student visa holders’ asylum applications had decreased by 20 percent, but they still accounted for 13 percent of all applications, prompting further restrictive measures.

Source: UK Home Office / Press Association