UK threatens visa restrictions on African nations over deportations

The United Kingdom has announced plans to restrict visas for nationals of three African countries that it accuses of failing to cooperate with the deportation of illegal immigrants. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has given Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo a one‑month ultimatum to improve the situation; otherwise all tourist and VIP visas for those nations will be blocked. The move forms part of a broader immigration‑reform package aimed at reducing the number of migrants arriving in the UK.

According to the government, thousands of nationals from these countries are living in the UK illegally after their asylum applications were rejected. Mahmood warned that the policy could be extended to other states with high rates of asylum claims from individuals who entered the UK legally. She emphasized that foreign governments must accept the return of their nationals or risk losing the privilege of entry to the UK.

The reform package, which will be presented to Parliament, includes measures to curb arrivals on small boats from France—a issue that has fueled rising anti‑immigrant sentiment. Proposed changes would increase the waiting period before asylum seekers can settle permanently from five to twenty years, with their situation reviewed every two‑and‑a‑half years to assess safety for return. Other provisions would remove automatic access to social benefits, require those with assets to contribute to the cost of their accommodation, and introduce legislation to regulate appeals to the European Convention on Human Rights, thereby speeding up deportations.

Since the start of the year, almost 40,000 people have arrived in the UK on small boats, an increase from the previous year. The government views these reforms as a way to streamline the asylum process, reduce the number of illegal immigrants and ensure that those not eligible to stay are returned to their countries of origin. The situation will be closely monitored, and further action may be taken if the desired results are not achieved.