UK to End Study Visas for Students from Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Others

UK Announces Visa Ban for Students from Four Countries

The UK government has announced that it will be ending study and work visas for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. The decision comes amid a rise in anti-immigration sentiment in the country.

According to the UK Home Office, the number of asylum applications by students from these four countries has increased by over 470% between 2021 and 2025. In response, Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood has imposed an “emergency brake” on visas for nationals from these countries.

The government stated that it will continue to provide refuge to people fleeing war and persecution, but emphasized the need to prevent abuse of the visa system. The decision is part of a broader effort by the Prime Minister’s government to address public concerns about migration and stem the rise of anti-immigration parties such as Reform UK.

The visa ban is expected to be officially introduced via an immigration rules change on Thursday. Home Secretary Mahmood is also set to outline a tougher asylum process in a speech, which includes plans for regular reviews of refugee status every 30 months. The government aims to reduce the number of student asylum claims and make the country less attractive for those seeking asylum.

The UK’s Press Association reported that the government has already reduced student asylum claims by 20% over the course of 2025. However, further action is needed to address the issue, as students from these four countries still account for 13% of all asylum claims in the system.

Source: Al Jazeera