March 04, (THEWILL) — The UK government has taken unprecedented action to restore control over its borders by suspending visas for nationals from Cameroon, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, following a sharp rise in asylum claims from those entering the country through legal routes.
A statement from the UK Home Office revealed that asylum applications by students and workers from these four countries surged by over 470% between 2021 and 2025, with Afghan nationals on work visas now claiming asylum at a rate higher than visas issued.
In response, the Home Office announced it will end sponsored study visas from all four countries and suspend skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals. The government said the measure is necessary to protect public finances, as supporting immigrants now costs taxpayers more than £4 billion annually.
The visa restrictions will be formalised via changes to the Immigration Rules on March 5, 2026, and will come into effect on 26 March 2026. Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, emphasised that the clampdown targets abuse of the visa system, not those genuinely fleeing conflict or persecution.
“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”, Mahmood said.
According to the Home Office, asylum claims via legal routes have more than tripled since 2021, making up 39% of the 100,000 applications last year. In total, 133,760 people have claimed asylum after entering legally over the past five years. Nearly 16,000 nationals from the four countries are currently receiving support at public expense, including over 6,000 housed in hotels.
Between 2021 and September 2025, 95% of Afghan work visa holders claimed asylum, while claims by Myanmar students increased sixteen-fold. Applications by students from Cameroon and Sudan rose by more than 330%, placing a significant strain on the UK’s asylum system.
The government has also pledged to open new, capped, safe and legal routes as alternatives to dangerous small-boat crossings. Since 2021, over 37,000 Afghans have been resettled through humanitarian programs, while 190,000 visas were granted in 2025 via other humanitarian routes, underscoring Britain’s commitment to helping genuine refugees.
Home Secretary Mahmood is expected to deliver a detailed speech on Thursday at the IPPR think tank, outlining how the reforms uphold British values while ensuring fairness and order in the UK’s migration system.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
