The Digester

UK suspends student visas for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan

Mar 10th 2026

The Home Office says it is stopping student visas for four countries and suspending some Afghan work visas to reduce asylum claims made after legal entry, while new rules will introduce regular refugee status reviews.

  • The UK will stop issuing student visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.
  • The Home Office also suspended skilled work visas for people from Afghanistan.
  • The government says the measures are intended to curb asylum claims lodged after people enter on legal visas.
  • Since 2021 almost 135,000 people entered the UK on visas and later lodged asylum claims, the Home Office said.
  • Asylum applications by students from the four named countries rose more than 470% between 2021 and 2025.
  • New asylum rules will include reviews of refugee status every 30 months and expect returns where countries are later judged safe.

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