Mahmood halts visas for four countries in ‘unprecedented’ decision | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDavid LynchWednesday 04 March 2026 00:09 GMTShabana Mahmood hits out at Tommy Robinson's backing of Labour's migration policyThe UK government has imposed an immediate suspension on certain visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the measure is due to the alleged exploitation of the UK's asylum system through legal migration routes.Study visas for all four nations and work visas for Afghan nationals have been halted, a move the Home Office describes as "unprecedented".Official figures indicate that 39 per cent of asylum claims in 2025 were made by individuals who arrived via legal migration routes.The visa ban will be officially introduced on Thursday, with further measures to toughen the asylum system, including reviewing refugee status every 30 months, expected to be announced.In fullUK suspends student visas for four countries over asylum abuse claimsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in