Immigration News - Employment-based visas, Global mobility, United Kingdom United Kingdom | Government ending study and work visas for countries with high rate of asylum claims Share this article LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) March 5, 2026 The Home Office announced it is ending sponsored study visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, and ending skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals. Key takeaways: The “emergency brake” on visas is due to a surge in asylum applications by students from these four countries. Also, Afghan nationals on work visas are claiming asylum at a higher rate than new work visas are being issued. The visa brake will be introduced March 5, 2026, and come into force on March 26, 2026. This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.