The United Kingdom has announced strict new visa restrictions after a sharp rise in asylum applications from people who initially entered the country legally.
Under the new measure, the government will stop issuing student visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. In addition, skilled work visas for Afghan nationals will also be suspended.
According to the UK Home Office, the move is an emergency step to prevent people from using legal visas as a route to later apply for asylum in Britain.
described it as the first time an “emergency brake” has been applied to visa approvals for specific countries.
Rise in Asylum Claims Triggers Action
Government data shows that around 135,000 people entered the UK legally on different visas since 2021 before later applying for asylum.
Although earlier measures helped reduce asylum claims from international students by about 20 percent in 2025, students still account for around 13 percent of all asylum cases currently being processed.
Authorities also reported that asylum applications from students belonging to the four affected countries increased by more than 470 percent between 2021 and 2025.
Shabana Mahmood defended the decision, saying the government is taking tough steps to prevent people from misusing visa routes meant for study or work.
New Refugee Rules Also Introduced
The visa restrictions come alongside new asylum reforms that recently came into effect in the UK.
Under these changes, refugee status will now be reviewed every 30 months for adults and their families.
If authorities later determine that a refugee’s home country is safe, they may be asked to return.
Previously, refugees could stay in Britain for five years before applying for permanent residency, which eventually opened a path toward citizenship.
However, unaccompanied minors will still receive five years of permission to stay, while the government works on a long-term policy for them.
Tougher Immigration Approach
The UK’s new policy is inspired by the immigration system used in Denmark, which is considered one of the strictest in Europe.
Denmark has been reviewing refugee status every two years since 2015.
Immigration has become a major political issue in Britain, especially as the Reform UK party gains attention in opinion polls with its strong anti-immigration stance.
With these new measures, the UK government aims to tighten immigration controls while managing rising asylum claims.
