UK Suspends Student Visas for Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan
Britain invoked emergency brake powers for the first time to suspend study visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, and halted work visas for Afghans, citing abuse of the student visa route to claim asylum. Asylum applications from students of those nationalities rose more than 470% between 2021 and 2025. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the UK's generosity had been exploited, amid rising anti-immigration sentiment in the UK.
Key Facts
- 1Britain suspended student visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, citing abuse of the student visa system
- 2Work visas for Afghan nationals were also halted as part of the immigration crackdown
- 3Asylum applications from students of those countries rose more than 470% between 2021 and 2025, according to the Home Office
- 4This marks the first time the UK has invoked emergency brake powers on study visas
- 5Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the UK's generosity had been 'exploited'
- 6The ban comes amid rising anti-immigration sentiment in the UK
Coverage
Reported by BBC News, The Guardian, France24, Al Jazeera, and DW, reflecting international attention on UK immigration policy.
Sources (4)
UK to end study visas for Myanmar, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Sudan students
Al Jazeera · 1d ago
UK puts emergency brake on study visas for four countries’ nationals
The Guardian · 1d ago
Britain halts student visas for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan
France24 · 1d ago
Mahmood to stop study visas from four countries due to 'abuse'
BBC News · 1d ago