By Our Reporter
The United Kingdom has suspended sponsored study visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan following a sharp increase in asylum applications from people who initially entered the country legally.
The decision, announced by the UK Home Office, will also see skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals suspended. The changes will be introduced through an amendment to the Immigration Rules on March 5 and will take effect from March 26.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the move was prompted by a significant rise in asylum claims from individuals who arrived on student and other legal visas before seeking protection.
Government data show that 133,760 people have claimed asylum after entering the UK through legal routes in the past five years. Since 2021, nearly 135,000 individuals who arrived on student or other visas later applied for asylum. In 2025 alone, such applications accounted for 39 per cent of the 100,000 asylum claims recorded.
Asylum claims from students from the four affected countries reportedly rose by more than 470 per cent between 2021 and 2025. Claims from Myanmar increased sixteen-fold, while those from Cameroon and Sudan rose by over 330 per cent. Afghan asylum claims during the same period were nearly equivalent to the number of study visas issued to Afghan nationals.
The government said asylum support costs now exceed £4 billion annually, with nearly 16,000 nationals from the four countries currently receiving taxpayer-funded support, including more than 6,000 housed in hotels. Mahmood said the administration had reduced the asylum support bill by £1 billion since taking office.
Under broader reforms that took effect this week, refugee status will now be reviewed every 30 months, replacing the previous five-year grant before eligibility for indefinite leave to remain. Refugees from countries considered safe may be expected to return home, while unaccompanied children will continue to receive five years’ leave pending further policy review.
Officials said the reforms are aimed at discouraging abuse of the visa system while maintaining protection for those fleeing war and persecution. Mahmood is expected to present further legislative proposals and outline the policy direction in a speech at the Institute for Public Policy Research.
The government said it plans to expand capped safe and legal migration routes once stability is restored to the asylum system.