The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has introduced an unprecedented measure an “emergency brake” to the immigration and visa system. This was announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Effective March 26, 2026, student visas will be suspended for citizens of four countries: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar (Burma), and Sudan. Work visas for Afghans will also be completely suspended.
According to the Home Office, the number of asylum applications from students from these countries increased more than fivefold between 2021 and 2025. Although the overall number of student asylum applications was reduced by 20% in 2025, they still account for approximately 13% of all cases in the asylum system.
“Our generosity is being abused. People arrive through legal routes and then claim asylum. Therefore, I am taking the unprecedented decision to suspend visas for citizens of these countries,” said Shabana Mahmood.
The Home Office emphasizes that this is the first use of the “emergency brake” mechanism, which was included in last year’s immigration legislation but has not yet been used. The measure can be in effect for up to 12 months and can be extended or reviewed.
The government stated that it simultaneously plans to create new quota-limited “safe and legal routes” once the asylum system stabilizes. Similar visa restrictions previously forced Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to agree to repatriate their citizens.
The decision has provoked a mixed reaction: some Labour MPs and trade unions called for a softer line, but the Starmer government continues its tough line on reducing net migration and combating abuses of the asylum system.