The British government has announced the suspension of study visas for citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan following a significant rise in asylum requests from migrants who originally entered the country through approved visa routes.
The decision, unveiled by the UK Home Office, introduces what officials described as an emergency restriction, effectively stopping sponsored student visas for the four nations and pausing skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals.
Authorities said the changes would be formalised through an amendment to the Immigration Rules on March 5 and implemented from March 26.
According to the Home Office, the clampdown became necessary after a sharp increase in asylum claims from individuals who lawfully entered the UK on student and work visas but later sought protection.
Government statistics show that 133,760 people have claimed asylum after arriving legally within the last five years.
Since 2021, close to 135,000 migrants who entered on study or other visa categories subsequently filed asylum applications.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed that claims from legal migration routes now account for nearly 40 per cent of total asylum applications.
In 2025, such cases represented 39 per cent of the 100,000 applications recorded.
Further data indicated that asylum requests from students of the four affected countries surged by more than 470 per cent between 2021 and 2025.
Applications from Myanmar rose sixteen times within the period, while those from Cameroon and Sudan increased by over 330 per cent.
For Afghanistan, the proportion of asylum claims compared to study visas issued reached 95 per cent between 2021 and the year ending September 2025.
Officials also noted that more Afghans on work visas are now applying for asylum than the number of work visas being granted.
Although the government reported a 20 per cent drop in student-linked asylum claims in 2025, individuals who arrived on study visas still constitute 13 per cent of pending cases.
A considerable number of the affected migrants are currently being supported with public funds.
The Home Secretary stated that asylum support costs exceed £4bn annually, with nearly 16,000 nationals from the four countries receiving assistance, including over 6,000 housed in hotels.
She added that the government had reduced the asylum support bill by £1bn since taking office.
A Home Office spokesperson said the action was aimed at tackling visa misuse while safeguarding the country’s commitment to assisting those genuinely fleeing conflict and persecution.
The announcement coincides with broader changes to the asylum framework that came into effect this week. Under the revised rules, refugee status granted to adults and their dependent children will now be reviewed every 30 months instead of the previous five-year term.
Individuals whose home countries are later considered safe may be required to return, while unaccompanied minors will continue to receive five years’ leave pending further policy decisions. Existing beneficiaries will remain under the former arrangement.
From March 2, protection for newly recognised refugees has been reduced to 30 months, a measure officials say is intended to discourage irregular migration, including dangerous Channel crossings.
The reforms are reportedly inspired by Denmark’s strict asylum model.
The Home Secretary is expected to present new legislation and outline the policy direction in a speech at the Institute for Public Policy Research.
She reiterated that while Britain would continue to offer sanctuary to those escaping war and persecution, the immigration system must not be exploited, pledging to restore order at the borders.
The development follows a firmer diplomatic approach by the government to ensure cooperation on migrant returns. Last November, ministers signalled possible visa restrictions for Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo over return agreements, with officials later confirming progress on deportation arrangements.
Since 2021, more than 37,000 Afghans have been resettled in the UK under dedicated schemes, while about 190,000 humanitarian visas were issued in 2025 alone. Between 2010 and 2025, the UK ranked sixth globally for refugee resettlement through UN referrals.
Immigration continues to dominate political debate in Britain, with the anti-migration Reform UK gaining traction in recent opinion polls.
