The British government has announced it will stop issuing student visas to people from Cameroon, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. The decision is part of a broader effort to reduce asylum applications and tighten immigration controls.
The Home Office said there has been a sharp rise in asylum claims from students coming from these countries. Since 2021, nearly 135,000 asylum seekers have entered the UK through legal routes. Officials say asylum applications from students of the four named countries have increased by more than 470% between 2021 and 2025.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Britain will continue to protect people fleeing war and persecution but warned that the visa system must not be abused. She described the move as an “unprecedented decision.”
Migration has become a key political issue in the UK, especially with growing debate over small boats crossing the English Channel and other routes used by asylum seekers. The government says student visa holders currently account for 13% of all asylum claims and that further action is needed to reduce the numbers.
Source: TRT Africa
