United Kingdom | Government ending study and work visas for countries with high rate of asylum claims

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.

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