Visa Brake for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan

A visa brake is a new restriction that prevents nationals of the four listed countries from obtaining a Student visa from outside the UK. The Government has stated that the decision is based on evidence relating to a high proportion of asylum claims made by students of these countries after arrival in the UK.

The restriction applies to Student visa applications submitted outside the UK on or after 26 March 2026.

Any Student visa application submitted from outside the UK after this date will be refused, regardless of the country from which the application is made.

Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan applying for a Student visa from overseas. The University will not be able to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to support a visa application for affected applicants. 

You are not affected if:

• You are a dual national and hold a passport from a country not included in the visa brake. You would apply for your Student visa using your alternative nationality.
• You are already in the UK with a valid visa and meet eligibility requirements to apply for a Student visa from within the UK.
• You are applying under a different visa route, except for Skilled Worker route for nationals of Afghanistan.
• You are a current student studying in the UK. Your existing visa remains valid.

The Government has described the measure as temporary, but no end date has been confirmed. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has stated that the policy will be kept under regular review, but a government impact assessment has indicated an expected review period of 18 months.

No. The restriction is set by external immigration policy, and universities are therefore unable to change it or make exceptions. We recognise that this may cause considerable disappointment for applicants from the affected countries who are now unable to take up their offer.