UK halts study visas for Afghans, Cameroonians, Myanmarese, Sudanese nationals

UK stops issuing study visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan starting March 2026. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood cited visa abuse concerns, noting these groups account for 13% of UK asylum applications. Nigerians face particular impact: UK received 22,619 Nigerian asylum applications (2010-2024), with 2,841 in 2024 alone. Mahmood claims 95% of Afghans on study visas later claim asylum, while Myanmar applications surged 1,600%. New 30-month refugee protection period introduced to curb abuse. Will Nigerians reconsider UK asylum routes given these restrictions?

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/03/04/uk-halts-study-visas-for-nationals-from-cameroon-3-others/