Asylum Surge: UK Halts Study Visas for Four Countries
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The United Kingdom has suspended study visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan following a sharp rise in asylum applications from individuals who originally entered the country through legal migration channels.
The decision, described as an “emergency brake,” was announced by the UK Home Office. It will end sponsored study visas for applicants from the four countries and also pause skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals.
Authorities confirmed that the changes will be formalised through amendments to the Immigration Rules on March 5 and will take effect from March 26.
According to official figures, 133,760 people have sought asylum in the UK over the past five years after arriving through legal routes, including student and work visas. Since 2021, nearly 135,000 individuals entered the country legally before later applying for asylum.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged that asylum claims from those who entered through authorised routes now represent a significant portion of total applications. In 2025 alone, such claims accounted for 39 per cent of roughly 100,000 asylum applications recorded during the year.
Data from the Home Office shows that asylum claims by students from the four affected countries rose by more than 470 per cent between 2021 and 2025. Applications from Myanmar increased sixteen-fold within the same period, while those from Cameroon and Sudan climbed by over 330 per cent. Among Afghan nationals, asylum claims relative to study visas issued reached 95 per cent between 2021 and September 2025. Officials also indicated that the number of Afghans on work visas who later applied for asylum now exceeds the number of such visas being granted.
The government said that while student-related asylum claims fell by 20 per cent in 2025, individuals who initially arrived on study visas still make up 13 per cent of cases currently in the asylum system.
Financial considerations have also influenced the decision. The Home Office disclosed that asylum support costs exceed £4 billion annually, with nearly 16,000 nationals from the four countries receiving state support. Of these, more than 6,000 are reportedly being accommodated in hotels funded by taxpayers.
Officials maintain that the temporary visa restrictions are aimed at protecting the integrity of the immigration system while efforts continue to reduce overall asylum support expenditure.
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