The United Kingdom has announced plans to impose visa restrictions on individuals arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing the country’s failure to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. This decision comes after the UK government introduced tougher asylum rules in November, which included provisions for visa penalties against countries that do not cooperate with removals.
According to the Home Office, the Democratic Republic of Congo has not made the necessary changes required under the new rules, prompting the UK to withdraw fast-track visa processes for individuals from the country. Additionally, VIPs and politicians from the Democratic Republic of Congo will no longer receive preferential treatment when entering the UK.
In contrast, the governments of Angola and Namibia have agreed to step up efforts to take back their citizens, following threats of sanctions alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Home Office views this development as a “first delivery success” from the recent asylum reforms, which aim to streamline the removals process and reduce the number of asylum seekers in the UK.
The UK’s asylum system is undergoing significant changes, including the introduction of temporary refugee status, the termination of guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers, and the creation of new “safe and legal routes” into the country. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned that visa penalties will be applied to countries that fail to cooperate with the returns policies, and has indicated that further measures could be imposed on the Democratic Republic of Congo if it does not improve its cooperation.
The Home Office has expressed frustration with the returns processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and Namibia, citing obstacles such as unprocessed paperwork and requirements for individuals to sign their own documents. The UK government expects countries to take back their citizens who have no right to remain in the UK, and has warned that failure to do so could result in a complete visa ban. With the introduction of these new measures, the UK aims to strengthen its asylum system and ensure that countries cooperate with removals.