Home Office announces a 'visa brake' on students coming from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan
March 04, 2026
Following the Home Office’s announcement of a ‘visa brake’ on students coming from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules is imminent. The government explain the ‘visa brake’ as an unprecedented decision to refuse visas for nationals of those countries. UKCISA will be able to provide further information on who is impacted by these changes from Thursday 5 March, when we will be able to view and analyse the Statement of Changes. Until then it is not detailed how it will impact new students preparing to study in the UK or students already in the UK. We expect changes in the rules to come into force on 26 March 2026 so timely support to students impacted by these changes will be essential.
This is an unprecedented event and we are aware that this will impact many students. We recognise that announcements relating to visa restrictions may cause uncertainty among international students most widely and the institutions that support them. International students make a significant academic, cultural and economic contribution to the UK, and it is important that they continue to feel valued and welcome in the UK.
UKCISA will analyse the expected changes carefully, providing our detailed guidance and analysis for members in the UKCISA Manual and on our website, as well as advice through our member and non-member advice lines. We will provide updated guidance for affected individuals, and for our members advising and supporting them through these changes, as soon as possible.
Please ensure that you are signed up to our newsletter for updates, and members are encouraged to share concerns and specific issues on our member forum while the analysis is ongoing. We will raise further questions with the Home Office as required.
There are many genuine reasons that individuals may feel unsafe to return to their home country, and this should be acknowledged by the government and by the media reporting on policy proposals and asylum. Seeking asylum is a legal right and deciding to seek asylum has consequences for those who apply. It is an important and life-changing decision that requires specialist regulated advice, and there is no guarantee that any application will be successful.
For any international students concerned about the communications they receive relating to their immigration status, please reach out to the support services available within your educational institution, for example, your international student advisers or student services. UKCISA also offers support via our advice line for students, and you can find more information on how to seek credible specialist immigration advice on our website.
