Which European country announced in March 2026 that it would stop issuing student visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan?

The United Kingdom implemented new immigration rules in March 2026, announcing a temporary cessation of sponsored student visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. This significant policy shift, dubbed a "visa brake" by the Home Office, is set to take effect from March 26, 2026. The decision also includes a suspension of skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals.

The British government justified these measures by citing a substantial increase in asylum applications from individuals who initially entered the UK on student visas from these particular countries. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized that while the UK remains committed to offering refuge to those fleeing persecution, the visa system must not be exploited. Official figures indicated a dramatic rise in asylum claims from students from these four nations between 2021 and 2025, which the government deemed an "unsustainable threat" to the UK's asylum system.

This temporary policy applies only to new applications made from outside the United Kingdom; those submitted before the March 26 deadline will proceed under the previous rules. The government has stated that the "visa brake" is not intended to be permanent and will undergo regular reviews, with the aim of lifting the restrictions when deemed appropriate by authorities. This move highlights ongoing efforts by the UK to manage immigration and address perceived abuses of its visa routes.