By Vera Anyagafu with agency reports
The UK government has put on hold study visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan due to a surge in asylum claims from individuals who initially entered the country through legal routes.
Effective March 26, 2026, the ban will end sponsored study visas for these countries and suspend skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals.
According to the UK Home Office, asylum applications from these countries increased by 470 per cent between 2021 and 2025, with students from these nations accounting over 13 per cent of all asylum claims.
The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood emphasised that the UK will provide refuge only to those fleeing war and persecution but would not tolerate visa abuse.
Some citizens from countries affected by the ban have expressed concerns and disappointment.
According to Burmese political activist and author, Zoya Phan, who resides in the UK, the ban is ‘cruel and short-sighted’, saying that education empowers returnees to rebuild nations like Myanmar.
An Afghan PhD researcher at the University of Sussex and a former Chevening Scholar, Naimat Zafary, expressed alarm for scholarship pipelines, with 2026/27 interviews already underway.
The vocal advocate for education said the ban is likely to have significant impacts on students from these countries.
Approximately 3,875 students are currently enrolled in UK universities, and new applicants will no longer be eligible for sponsored study visas, existing students will retain their rights, but universities face uncertainty about future recruitment and potential complications for current students.
It was gathered from a reliable source that the UK’s reputation as a global education destination may be damaged, potentially deterring quality applicants.
“Students from affected countries may explore alternative study destinations, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, or France,” the source stated.
However, the UK maintained that the move is part of broader asylum reforms, including reviewing refugee status every 30 months and reducing protection periods.
Consequently, refugees will now face temporary status, lasting two and a half years, subject to review, adding that the wait for permanent settlement has been extended to 20 years, up from 5 years.
Further information revealed that asylum support is set to become discretionary, rather than a statutory duty, and may be removed for those who refuse to work or break the law.
Also, family reunion rights are being restricted, with stricter income and language requirements.
These changes have been met with criticism from rights groups, who argue that the UK will strip refugees of their rights and create more uncertainty, in efforts to overhaul the asylum system.
As the situation unfolds, the UK’s asylum policies are set to become more stringent, and the impact on vulnerable individuals remains a concern.
