“It’s A Temporary Visa Brake For An Initial Period of 18 Months for Students”

On March 4, 2026, the UK government suspended the issuing of student visas to four countries including Cameroon as from March 26, 2026. What prompted this decision?

The UK has long valued the contribution that migrants have made to our country. Our focus is on ensuring that our migration system is successful, fair, and effective. That means continuing to attract those who will contribute, protect those who need it, and prevent those who abuse it. Unfortunately, the level of abuse we have seen on the student route from Cameroonian students – over a third of whom have gone on to claim asylum in the last 2 years, not respecting the terms of their visa – has led us to introduce this temporary brake. It was a purely data-driven decision, for Cameroon and the other countries currently affected. I very much regret this decision, and am saddened that we have had to make it. I want to underline though that this measure is not a reflection of the strength and breadth of our bilateral relationship which we continue to value greatly, as fellow members of the Commonwealth. It is a consequence of the actions of those individuals who have abused our migration system.

Could it not be done differently, rather than take drastic measures that penalises those who really want to study?

I understand the strength of feeling on this issue. But the priority was to act quickly to protect the integrity of the visa system, which ultimately exists to benefit legitimate applicants. I should also note that the UK remains open to Cameroonian nationals through other visa routes, in terms of visiting, or working in the UK for instance. But it should go without saying that all succe...