Asylum Surge: UK lists nations barred from student, work visas

The UK government has announced that it will no longer issue student visas to people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. Work visas for Afghans will also be stopped. This is part of a wider effort to control asylum applications.

The Home Office said there has been a large increase in students from these countries applying for asylum. Since 2021, nearly 135,000 people have entered the UK through legal routes and then applied for asylum.

“Britain will always protect people fleeing war and persecution, but our visa system must not be abused,” said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. “This is why we are refusing visas to those trying to exploit our generosity.”

Between 2021 and 2025, asylum applications by students from these four countries rose by more than 470%.

Migration has become a major political issue in the UK. The hard-right Reform UK party has gained popularity with its anti-migration stance.

The UK has struggled to manage small boats crossing the Channel from France with undocumented migrants. Officials are also trying to reduce asylum applications from legal routes.

The Home Office said it reduced student asylum claims by 20% in 2025, but more action is needed. Students arriving on study visas still account for 13% of all asylum claims.