UK to stop issuing study visas for Myanmar, Afghanistan, Cameroon and Sudan

The British government declared on Tuesday, March 3, that it will no longer provide education visas to individuals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, as well as work visas for Afghans. This decision is part of a larger effort to limit asylum seekers. The Home Office reported a significant rise in asylum applications from students from these countries, with nearly 135,000 asylum seekers arriving in the United Kingdom through legal channels since 2021. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated, “Britain will always offer shelter to those escaping war and persecution, but our visa system cannot be misused.” She emphasized that this unusual decision aims to prevent nationals from taking advantage of the country’s kindness. The Home Office noted that asylum applications from students in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan have surged by over 470 percent between 2021 and 2025. Migration has become a critical topic in British politics, with the right-wing Reform UK party gaining support due to its anti-migration views. Previous governments have found it challenging to manage the flow of small boats crossing the Channel from France, which carry many undocumented migrants. Authorities are also under pressure to limit the number of asylum seekers arriving through other means. The Home Office mentioned that the government has decreased student asylum claims by 20 percent within 2025, but further steps are necessary since those coming on study visas still account for 13 percent of all claims in the system.