By Gloria Nosa
The UK Home Office has imposed an unprecedented “emergency brake” on study visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan following a sharp surge in asylum claims from individuals who initially entered the UK through legal routes.
The changes will be introduced through amendments to Immigration Rules on March 5 and will take effect on March 26, 2026.
In addition to ending sponsored study visas for the four countries, the UK is also suspending skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals.
Why the UK Took the Decision
According to the Home Office, nearly 135,000 people have claimed asylum after arriving legally in the UK over the past five years.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said asylum claims from legal entry routes now account for nearly 40% of total applications.
Key statistics cited by the government include:
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133,760 asylum claims from legal routes in five years
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In 2025, 39% of 100,000 asylum applicants entered legally
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Student asylum claims from the four countries rose by over 470% between 2021 and 2025
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Applications from Myanmar increased sixteen-fold
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Claims from Cameroon and Sudan rose by more than 330%
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Afghan asylum claims reached 95% relative to study visas issued
The government described the policy as necessary to prevent abuse of the visa system.
Financial and Housing Pressures
The UK government says asylum support now costs over £4 billion annually.
Nearly 16,000 nationals from the four affected countries are currently supported at public expense, including over 6,000 housed in hotels.
The Home Office stated that it has reduced asylum-related spending by £1 billion since coming into office but argued further action was necessary.
Broader Asylum Reforms
The visa suspension coincides with tighter asylum rules:
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Refugee status will now be reviewed every 30 months (down from five years)
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Refugees from countries deemed safe may be required to return
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Unaccompanied children will retain five-year leave
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Existing asylum cases will be assessed under previous rules
Officials say the reforms aim to reduce “pull factors” linked to irregular migration, including small boat crossings.
Political Context
The measures come amid mounting political pressure over migration, with anti-migration sentiment rising in the UK. The government has pledged to expand capped safe and legal routes once the asylum system is stabilised.
Since 2021, Britain has resettled over 37,000 Afghans under humanitarian schemes and granted approximately 190,000 humanitarian visas in 2025 alone.
The government insists the UK will continue to offer refuge to those fleeing war and persecution but says its visa system “must not be abused.”
The policy marks one of the toughest recent immigration steps taken by the UK and signals a shift toward stricter control of legal migration routes tied to asylum claims.
