The United Kingdom and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are locked in a diplomatic dispute over London’s new policy on returning undocumented migrants and convicted individuals. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud announced that the DRC will no longer receive fast‑track visa services or preferential treatment for VIPs and government officials, citing Kinshasa’s alleged refusal to cooperate with the policy. This decision forms part of a broader immigration reform package introduced by Mahmoud last month, aimed at curbing the influx of irregular migrants to the UK.
The reforms make asylum status temporary, accelerate deportations for undocumented migrants, and impose stricter requirements on asylum seekers. Applications will be reviewed every 30 months, and individuals will be required to return to their home countries once conditions are deemed safe. Moreover, asylum seekers must now wait 20 years before they can apply for permanent residency, a substantial increase from the current five‑year waiting period.
Official figures show that UK asylum applications have reached a record high, with more than 100,000 people seeking to remain in the country in the year to June 2025. The government has praised nations such as Namibia and Angola for cooperating with the new policy, while criticizing the DRC for its alleged lack of cooperation. Mahmoud warned that the UK could block visas for all Congolese citizens unless Kinshasa steps up its cooperation.
Opponents of the reforms argue that the measures are overly restrictive and could undermine the UK’s commitment to protecting refugees. The government, however, maintains that the changes are necessary to secure the borders and ensure the efficient removal of individuals with no right to remain in the country. As the diplomatic row between the UK and the DRC continues, the outcome remains uncertain, with potential implications for bilateral relations and regional migration dynamics.
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