Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department operates a policy of ending study visas for nationalities where asylum claims from students go beyond a certain percentage.

From 26 March 2026, we will refuse sponsored study visa applications from main applicants outside of the UK who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. Additionally, we will refuse Skilled Worker visa applications from main applicants outside of the UK who are nationals of Afghanistan.

Almost 8,000 students from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan and Cameroon have claimed asylum since 2021. This is over 470% of their 2021 level. Without action, asylum claims will start to outstrip visas issued – and in the case of Afghan workers has already done so.

Due to the impact of asylum claims on border operations and the wider immigration system, these high numbers are not sustainable.

The UK keeps its visa system under regular review and decisions on changes are informed by a range of factors.