The Home Office has suspended new study visa applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, citing a sharp rise in asylum claims from people who initially entered the country legally as students. Skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals have also been paused. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the decision takes effect this month and is designed to curb what the government describes as systemic abuse of legal migration routes. She called it an “unprecedented decision” necessary to prevent individuals from exploiting the UK’s visa system and pledged to restore “order and control” to border management.
Government figures show asylum claims from people who first arrived on legal visas including study routes have more than tripled between 2021 and 2025. Currently, about 13% of asylum applications under review involve individuals who originally came to the UK on student visas. Data cited by officials indicate particularly high conversion rates among the affected countries. Around 95% of Afghan nationals who entered on study visas since 2021 have applied for asylum. Applications from Myanmar nationals increased sixteen fold over the same period, while claims from Cameroon and Sudan rose more than four times.
The Home Office said a higher-than-average number of applicants from these countries reported destitution as part of their asylum cases. Approximately 16,000 individuals from the four nations are currently receiving government support while their claims are processed. The move forms part of broader immigration reforms aimed at reducing net migration and tightening compliance checks. While ministers argue the changes protect the integrity of the system, critics warn the restrictions could limit opportunities for legitimate students fleeing instability and conflict.
