UK to suspend student visas for Myanmar, Afghanistan, Cameroon and Sudan

AuthorCaroline Sykes

The Home Office has announced that the UK government will stop issuing student visas for international students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. Afghan nationals will also be banned from obtaining Skilled Worker visas.

The UK goverment announced the 'emergency brake' on student visas in a press release on 4 March 2026.

A statement of changes to the Immigration Rules is expected to be published on 5 March 2026. The visa ban is expected to come into force on 26 March 2026.

The government has mentioned "new capped safe and legal routes as an alternative to dangerous small boat crossings once order has been restored to the asylum system."

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